It had been thousands of years since the Elric brothers had saved Amestris and the world from Father. That Era of history had been long forgotten and alongside it, the knowledge of Alchemy. Much had changed in the world, the final battle when all of...
Izuku woke up in Recovery Girl's office. He slowly sat up and looked around, seeing only Recovery Girl at her desk. The elderly hero looked up when she heard him move.
Recovery Girl: "How are you feeling sonny?"
Izuku got off the bed.
Izuku: "Tired."
Recovery Girl: "Well if it's only that then you're okay. Your clothes were brought in from the locker room and are on that table next to you.."
Recovery Girl then pulled a curtain around the bed Izuku was put in to let him change. After a couple minutes Izuku stepped out in his casual clothes with his hero suit folded in his arms.
Izuku: "Um. What do I do with this?"
Recovery Girl: "Just leave it here, a support course student will come to get it."
Izuku: "Okay."
He set his suit down and was about to leave when Recovery Girl spoke up again.
Recovery Girl: "Oh, and Nezu wishes to meet you in that little office of yours."
Izuku nodded and left. He eventually made his way down to the office he was being lent by Nezu. He opened the door to find Nezu, Aizawa, Vlad, and his mother standing around the desk.
Izuku: "What are you all doing here?"
They turned to look at him.
Nezu: "Ah, Mr. Midoriya, how nice it is for you to join us!"
Inko: "Are you okay Izuku?"
She walked over and hugged him.
Izuku: "Yes I am. Just a little tired."
She let go of him and they walked over to the desk. Izuku took note of the single piece of paper on it.
Izuku: "Ling's letter?'
Aizawa: "Yes. His body is currently en route to a secure facility to protect it."
Izuku: "And what of the reverse human transmutation circle?"
Aizawa pointed behind him to a corner. Izuku peered around his tired teacher to see the slab leaning against the wall.
Izuku: "Okay. At least everything of importance is safe."
Inko: "Izuku, could you tell me what's happening?"
Izuku: "The villains who attacked us had a Philosopher's Stone and knew of Alchemy. That slab was in the center of the USJ as was Ling's grave."
Inko: "Really? Where there other graves?"
Izuku shook his head.
Izuku: "He was buried as he was a traitor to his people."
Inko looked shocked.
Inko: "How!?"
Izuku: "The working theory is that the Emperor figured out how to make Philosopher's Stones and Ling fought against him."
Inko: "I see."
Izuku: "Now, how about the letter?"
Vlad: "There's a small problem."
Izuku: "Yes?"
Vlad: "It's in code."
Izuku groaned.
Izuku: "And knowing him he didn't make a cipher."
Inko: "But maybe he didn't have to."
Izuku: "What do you mean?"
Inko: "He wrote this letter for those he trusted, which means Edward, Alphonse, or any of the others would've been able to decipher it themselves."
Izuku: "Right, because a physical cipher would compromise the letter."
Vlad: "Could you speak like we don't know what you're talking about?"
Izuku: "Only those Ling trusted with his life could figure out the letter."
Inko: "Or those with the personal journals of those he trusted."
Izuku: "Such as Edward's descendents, us Midoriyas."
Nezu: "You believe you have something that can help?"
Izuku: "Yeah. But it's not here. When's the next school day?"
Aizawa: "Next week. You students have a few days off because of the attack."
Izuku: "I'll bring them then."
Aizawa: "Good. Also the Sports Festival is coming up so your heroics classes will be replaced with personal training, I suggest using some of that time on this."
Izuku: "Alright. Nezu sir?"
Nezu: "Yes?"
Izuku: "Have any more marks appeared?"
Nezu: "Yes actually. There have been evidence of them all over the country."
Izuku: "That's worrying."
Inko: "Are you talking about alchemy marks?"
Izuku: "Yes. Which is why it's worrying. So much Alchemy happening where so close to the old capital of Xing. There's no way this is a coincidence."
Nezu: "Well we have plenty of time to figure it out. You should rest and prepare for investigating as well as train for the Sports Festival."
Izuku: "-yawn- Yeah."
Inko: "Let's go Izuku."
They waved bye to the heros and left the room to go back to the apartment.
---
As the he watched the last staff member leave foe the day, Nezu began to talk to himself.
Nezu: "It seems Full Metal has himself an equally troublesome descendent."
In a silent rage his shadow lurched and smashed his desk lamp.
Pride: "My Pride won't allow such an inferior creature to stop us this time."
He looked to his mirror and pushed his forehead fur to the side, revealing a tattoo.
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Then, deep inside of his mind, a voice was heard.
Nezu: 'You underestimate him Pride. He will stop you.'
Pride: 'You say that like you know his strength.'
Nezu: 'I don't, but if he's anything like that Edward you hate so much, then it's inevitable that he stops you.'
Pride: 'Well you can't do anything to help from in here so it's pointless to talk about it.'
Nezu: 'There's a reason you were the one I was trapped with. My pride made it perfect for you to latch on, but it hasn't disappeared. I am proud of my employees and students. I believe they won't let me down. Sleep with your eyes open Pride.'
The shadow threw the desk in a rage, but the soul of Nezu gave no more responses, preferring to hide within the sea of souls once more.
