Fractured Wings

The laboratory was an amalgamation of eerie silence and a steady hum of life support machinery. Inside the room were a ton of incubators with creepy creatures unconscious inside of them. Walls behind them were lined with monitors displaying the abrupt scene in Hosu. In this grim tableau, All For One sat in a throne-like chair, his presence suffocating even to the void itself. His mask gleamed faintly under the cold light, concealing the malformed face that had once been another great weapon of his. The room seemed to shrink around him as though it were acknowledging him as master. 

Dr. Kyudai Garaki, a hunched figure with a completely bald head and a large bushy mustache, and unnervingly bulging glasses, stood by the largest monitor. His stubby fingers moved with surprising dexterity across a keyboard, his cackling punctuating the quiet sinister glare. 

"This... game, my Lord. It's beyond anything we could have imagined. Such innovation! Such scope! Kiyoshi Daigo may very well be the closest thing this world has to an artist of the apocalypse." 

All For One leaned back, his voice cutting through the air like silk over steel. "An artist, indeed. One whose campus is reality and whose brush has dipped in despair." He chuckled in a low resonant sound that sent ripples of unease even to the motionless corpses in the room. "But his brilliance is not without flaws. Like all visionaries, Daigo requires careful curation." 

Garaki nodded vigorously. "And the investment my lord, sending Shigaraki, Toga, twice and even Overhaul... Isn't that too risky, sending them to this... game?" 

"Risk?" All For One interrupted, his tone was filled with amusement. "Risk is what keeps people from stagnation. I'm sending him there to gain experience, or XP as Tomura call's it. He will lead, kill and learn new things about himself that I cannot teach. It's a fantastic situation." 

As long as Tomura Shigaraki lives, which All For One is sure he will. 

The screen flickered, transitioning to a live broadcast. Daigo Kiyoshi, standing in a surreal digital studio, his high-collared black coat illuminated by faint, circuit-like lines of blue. He appeared before the nation. His asymmetrical bangs obscured one eye, lending him a shadowed, enigmatic allure. 

"Ah there he is," All For One murmured. "The maestro himself." 

Garaki leans closer, his grin widening. "Let's see what symphony he conducts." 

Daigo's voice was smooth and charismatic, each word deliberate. "People of Japan, and perhaps the world. Today, we embark on a new chapter of existence. A trial of humanity's worth, a test of it's mettle. I have made a replica of Hosu City with my quirk, to act as the stage for this game that decides if we are ready to transcend the limits of our frail bodies and fragile ideologies." 

The broadcast cut shortly to a scene of the grey, monotone room of boundless space where an amalgamation of different people stood and were also listening to what he was saying. Civilians, Heroes, known villains, students of all kind and more. 

Daigo continued in his whimsical tone. "This game, will be a survival game. The players will search for three artifacts scattered across this city, symbols of out past, present and future. Retrieve them, unite them and place them in their rightful places. Only then will they be able to come back to the real world where we will then commence with everything we've gathered." 

"All the while," Daigo continued, speaking directly to the participants this time. "You will adhere to rules. You will collect points, you will fight and you will adapt, if not, then you die. But even in death, fear nothing. For in my domain you will live forever." 

"Every choice you make echoes in eternity." Daigo's voice boomed once more. 

All for One chuckled, his mirth genuine and unsettling. "The boy has a flair for theatrics. I wonder if he was a drama kid." 

Garaki adjusted his glasses, his laughter filling the room. "This spectacle will be unparalleled." 

The monitor dimmed, leaving the laboratory cloaked in shadows once more, even as the two figures watched the unfolding drama with bated breath. 

___

The UA staff room was a somber theatre of urgency and despair. Principal Nezu, perched at the head of the table, head spinning at the revelation of everything they had just heard, still staring at the screen seeing some of his own students, signifying that they are all trapped in this game. 

He radiated composure, but the feint tap-tap of his paw against the polished wood betrayed the weight of the situation. Around him, the teachers were a mixture of outrage, disbelief and grim determination. The muted glow of the monitor displayed the figure known as Daigo Kiyoshi, dubbed Proxy. 

"How did this happen?" Midnight's voice cracked the tense silence. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her pacing restless and agitated. "Half an entire city of people uprooted, countless lives thrown into a death game, and no one saw it coming?" 

The city of Hosu was still there, it was just a great majority of it's people were now missing. 

"It's not just about missing it," Aizawa said, his tone cutting through her distress with his bluntness. "It's about the scale. Daigo Kiyoshi didn't just activate some massive quirk. He must have orchestrated this for months if not years. There's planning here, resources we don't see." 

"And the students," Midnight pressed, her voice breaking. 

"Six confirmed, from Class 1-A." Present Mic said, his normally boisterous voice subdued as he counted off on a list from agencies he's called. "And six from Class 1-B. Plus that kid Shinso from General Studies." 

And that's not counting the business students who came in for extra classes, or support students that were also still in school during the intern break and didn't find anywhere to work. 

A collective grimace swept through the room. Aizawa rubbed his eyes, his exhaustion palpable. "Of course Shinso's caught." Aizawa had only took an interest and started training the kid recently. 

"Shiketsu was spared. Luck maybe." Present Mic said. 

"It's not about luck," Nezu interjected sharply. "Their protocols on almost everything are different than ours. Insular. For all their faults Shiketsu's insularity may have protected their students." 

All Might was silently fuming and clenching his larger than life fists. He stood tall. "None of this absolves us," he said, his voice low but fierce. "Todoroki, Midoriya, all those students, they're children. Children thrust into a nightmare because we weren't vigilant enough." 

"And what do we do now?" Aizawa asked tearing through All Might's frustration with his own. "Storm the streets looking for this clown, he may be in the game himself for all we know. We don't even know how his quirk works. We can't just punch our way through there." 

"We don't even know what's inside," Midnight added, her frustration now simmering into desperation. "This game could be anything. Even if we find a way in, how do we protect everyone? How do we fight within Kiyoshi's rules?" 

Nezu had been quietly observing, he tapped his paw on the table to draw in their attention. "This is not a problem that can be solved with brute force or boundless idealism..." The room went still at the tone of his voice. "First we understand that people, whether our students or not, will die. Then we understand the parameters of what's at stake here. Knowledge is power. And then we scour the streets for this villain and reclaim our society back." 

The room fell silent. All Might looked like he wanted to bury himself in a hole, it was unnerving seeing such a strong figure and the embodiment of hope itself act in such a way. 

Midnight pulled out a tablet swiping at the growing reports. "Civilians, Pro Heroes, Hero Students and Villains. It isn't indiscriminate who has been taken, but majority seem to fall within the Hosu radius." 

She paused for a moment before resuming. "The league are also involved. Tomura Shigaraki, Twice and Himiko Toga are in," 

"That's just a nightmare waiting to explode." Present Mic said letting out a sigh. 

"But there are also heroes there," Aizawa said. Trust in heroes was a must in this situation. For the people that could do nothing on the outside, they had to have full hope that they achieve the best outcome from this, somehow. 

Midnight was still scrolling and she seemed even angrier this time over something new she had found. "Monsters." 

A few heads turned to her to get an answer on what she was referring to. 

She spun her tablet around for them to see. 

"Betting pools. People are treating it like entertainment and have already placed our students as well as villains as people to bet on for their survival." 

Nezu spoke out before Present Mic got the chance to, his beady eyes were already dark. "That is the rot beneath our society isn't it? When suffering becomes a spectacle. We will deal with them as we progress, but for now, we should work with other heroes on finding out more information on this man Daigo Kiyoshi as well as setting up a perimeter around Hosu in case any entrances or exits appear." 

All Might turned back to the monitors to see all the frightened people who he couldn't reach. His teeth clenched as he listened to the villains speech about digital immortality. Kiyoshi's vision, it is something he wants to smash to nothingness. 

He thought of Midoriya.

The safety of him and the people is his hope. 

___

The news of Game Hosu rippled across society, a dark thread weaving through the lives of millions. 

In a bedroom that was filled with the natural light of the sun, a teenage boy perched on the edge of his bed, hunched over his glowing computer screen. His walls were plastered with posters of pros striking iconic poses as well as a grunge rock band. 

His desk was cluttered with energy drink cans and silly gadgets instead of schoolwork like the average teenage boy. 

But Tokio Daruma was a high school dropout wanting to make it big. 

The glow of the screen reflected in his wide eyes as he scrolled through a betting website while chewing gum. Names scrolled by, blurry faces of named participants in the game. 

Bro, Todoroki's gotta make this out alive. He's the son of the number 2. And he's got Ice and Fire, no one's touching that." His voice broke the silence as he spoke into his headset, addressing his friend in a discord call. 

"Nah bro, you're sleeping on that paper guy, you ain't see him against Overhaul? He's cracked." 

***

In a quiet suburb of a distant town, a middle-aged woman stood in her modest kitchen, lading soup bowls. Her young daughter sat at the table, legs swinging as she hummed a cheerful tune while playing on her tablet. The woman's attention however, was locked on the small TV mounted in the corner. The screen played Daigo Kiyoshi's announcement, his chilling charisma impossible to ignore. 

Her hand trembled as she adjusted the volume. "What can the heroes even do?" She muttered under her breath. 

The girl looked up, her big eyes curious. "What's wrong mommy?" 

The woman forced on a smile, "Nothing sweetheart. Eat your soup, okay?" But her thoughts raced. My nephew is a first year attending UA. Please don't let him be a part of this. 

*** 

Downtown, in a bustling internet cafe, the air was thick with cigarette smoke and muted conversation. A group of huddled men around two different monitors, their faces illuminated by the light on the screen. 

"Five-to-one odds on Shoto Todoroki getting the first kill as a hero student." One said jabbing a finger at the profile on the screen. 

"You're an idiot," another retorted, leaning back with a smug grin. "Bet on their chances on getting out first, that's easy money. That Kirishima Kid is built like a tank, and so is the silver one that looks like a villain." 

Behind them, the cafe owner leaned on the counter, watching them with a mixture of disdain and resignations. "You guys are disgusting. This isn't a sport, those are lives you're betting on." 

One of the men shrugged. "Yeah but we're betting on the heroes and villains and stuff, sure this is a big surprise and all. But the life of a hero is full of 'em, and they signed up for that." 

***

A lavish penthouse offered a stark contrast to the cafe's grime. Here, a wealthy businessman swirled a glass of wine as he lounged in an oversized leather chair. The city's glittering skyline stretched beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, but his attention was on the sleek tablet in his hand. 

He scrolled through a private app smirking at the names on the roster. "Gang Orca, Kamui Woods, Sajin Higawara." To the man scrolling, these names were safe bets Professional heroes with powerful quirks and lots of experience. Kamui Woods may be one of the newer ones, but he is climbing up the ranks at record breaking speeds. 

The first bet was more of a risky one, but he was all about taking risks. Which is why he chose his next one's the way he did. "Geten Himura, Tomura Shigaraki, Kobe Arakawa (Sōryū)." 

'This is all about the fun of the game,' He thought as he switched screens to book a plane ticket out of the country. 

***

Social media exploded with hashtags: #GameHosu, #DeathGame, #HeroesvsVillains. And more, relating to Daigo Kiyoshi now dubbed Proxy by the internet. The reactions ranged from outrage, to morbid fascination. 

The internets dark corners buzzed with quieter whispers. On an encrypted forum, anonymous users placed private bets. 

Some spoke about who they believe would win if they crossed paths. 

All the while the people they were talking about were all still within what was proposed as the starting room to the games. 

___

The dark expanse above Hosu shimmered with surreal stillness. Below, the city gleamed like an artificial jewel, it's streets life-like but too pristine, circled by an impossible sea. Confusion rippled through the gathered participants. 

"This can't be real," someone muttered, we all heard the announcement that the man named Daigo Kiyoshi gave to the world. It was daunting and any other day would sound like the ramblings of another crazy person. 

Midoriya's eyes were wide and he was shaking as he was holding himself together like he would fall apart if not. His emerald eyes darted around. His lips parted and then he looked down to the endless sea. 

"Hosu doesn't have water around it like this." Todoroki nodded grimly beside him, Daigo Kiyoshi had explained that this was some kind of replica that he created. 

'Unbelievable. Since when could quirks be so strong?' I thought to myself. 

Before anyone else could speak, an omnipresent voice cut through the air, smooth and mocking. "Welcome to my Virtual Domain," Daigo Kiyoshi's voice announced, his tone simultaneously warm and condescending. "You now stand in the world of my creation. A space where reality bends to my will and where your very lives hand in the balance." 

The sky pulsed and lines of text began to form above them, glowing faintly in the dark air. 

Rules of the Game 

1. Gain points. - If points remain stagnant four four days, the player dies. 

(Gain points by eliminating other players. Heroes/Villains: 10 points, Hero Students: 5 points, Civilians: 1 point.) 

Heroes, Named Villains and Hero Students are already a part of the game and have to follow through. Civilians are exempt unless their points change. 

Game Termination 

1. Game ends when three specific objects are found and placed in their locations: 

-Founders Torch. 

-All Might's Gauntlet.

-USB. 

Rule Creation 

1. New rules cost 50 points to propose and require Game Masters approval. 

The participants froze frozen, absorbing the grim details. Daigo's voice, rich with amusement, continued. "And to begin, I offer you a question—an opportunity to earn ten points for everyone here. How do you believe you were brought into this world? You have five minutes to answer. But be warned, after every minute that passes you lose two points." 

We were told that we could give the answers to out Bug. The games interface, an autonomous construct meant to answer players queries and can even provide updates. Daigo described them as the impartial observers. 

They were as big as hand and had the appearance of an insect like a worm mixed with a beetles thickness. And it could float. Mine was red but I seen Midoriya and Todoroki's were green, some people had blue and some had a pale orange colour bug.

"Dragged into this world...?" someone muttered, still in disbelief. 

I looked around to see that there were heroes and even some known villains in almost every 1 in 6 people you glanced at. Some tried attacking but their attacks just phased through, 'probably some type of safe zone then.' 

Midoriya's face twisted and he was muttering aloud... "It wasn't a teleportation quirk. There wasn't any sign of portals or even a feeling of being dragged through one..." 

Forty seconds had went by just like that and no one gave an answer. I let everyone's wrong answers flow through me and even ignored some of Midoriya's mumbling. His costume was still missing, other people in the room were in similar positions. All missing a piece of clothing or hero costumes. 

The pieces clicked after a minute, "It's the objects." 

"What?" Midoriya turned and asked sharply. 

"Think about it for a second." I said noticing a few more faces turn in my direction. "You're missing your costume and Frosty is missing some of his support gear. The objects we're wearing are probably considered part of the game, so they were able to drag us in here like that. Maybe through recalling them to their designated spots." 

As if in response to my deduction, the sky pulsed again and Daigo's voice returned, brimming with delight. "Astute observation. Eight points have been awarded to all participants." I was late by only a few seconds. 

"Now, let the games begin!" 

The platform beneath us shattered and everyone seemingly blinked out of existence in a flash.