[DISCONTINUED] Dekusquad Has Secrets That No One Know's But Them

CHAPTER THREE

A new group of four approached the fence.

They hadn't been there long—hadn't even meant to get this close—but it had taken a surprising amount of sneaking and borrowed quirks to reach the forest without being caught. Being this near U.A. grounds was risky, and none of them had ever come this close before.

"There's blood," a girl said brightly, giggling as she hopped past the sign. "How interesting!"

She turned toward a tall, blue-haired boy following closely behind her. Scratch marks lined his neck, and disembodied hands clung to his arms and face.

"Shiggy!" she chirped. "The sign has blood on it. I wonder whose."

Shigaraki rolled his eyes and quickened his pace. "Yes. It does."

"What's wrong with you?" a man with spiky black hair and purple scar tissue stitched across his face asked. "You seem cranky, Shigaraki."

He yanked the girl forward by the arm.

"Hey! Dabi! That hurt!" she yelped.

"Shush it, blonde," Dabi muttered, letting go.

She pouted, rubbing her arm. "What's wrong with you, Shiggy?"

"Nothing."

"I don't believe that," another voice said calmly from behind them.

"Same!" the girl exclaimed, darting forward and wrapping her arms around Shigaraki.

"Let—go—" he growled, carefully trying to pry her off without using all five fingers. "Let go!"

"Nope! Not until you tell us!" she tightened her grip.

"Fine!" he snapped. "My brother and I used to play here! Now get off!"

He shoved her head away, his agitation growing by the second.

"Mrs. Toga," a composed voice interrupted, "I believe you should stop."

"Kurogiri!" Toga huffed. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"Mrs. Toga," Kurogiri replied evenly, "I serve Mr. Shigaraki. Not you."

The grin in his voice was unmistakable.

They continued deeper until the forest suddenly opened into a vast clearing. No trees stood within it—only massive moss-covered stones scattered across the land. Vines draped from the surrounding trees, and thick clouds above softened the light, giving the place an oddly beautiful stillness.

Shigaraki froze.

"...It still looks the same," he murmured.

"What was that, Shiggy?" Toga asked, leaning closer.

"Nothing," he said quickly, turning and walking away.

The others exchanged confused glances before following.

They moved carefully—skipping puddles, stepping over snakes, hopping fallen logs. Toga jumped from one log and landed proudly while Dabi stepped over it without a second glance.

"This is way more fun than I thought," Toga laughed, pulling out her hair tie and letting her blonde hair fall loose.

Crack.

A branch snapped loudly.

Everyone froze.

All eyes snapped to Toga.

"What?!" she panicked. "I didn't do that!"

"Whatever you say, Mrs. Toga."

"It wasn't me! It came from over there—can you not hear or something?" she shouted, pointing.

The realization hit instantly.

A hero.

"Ugh," Dabi groaned. "Just take us in already. Don't make it dramatic."

No response.

Shigaraki growled. "You stupid hero! Stop staring and take us to jail!"

"I'm not going to capture you, kero," a voice replied calmly. "You haven't hurt anyone in the forest. And I live here—so I'm not a hero. Ribbit."

"...You live here?" Toga asked, eyes lighting up.

"I just said that, kero."

"Why?"

"Because we needed a break. Why are you here?"

"We... also needed a break," Kurogiri admitted. "May we ask your name?"

The voice laughed. "Interesting. Call me Morana, ribbit."

She swung down from tree to tree, landing gracefully in front of them.

"Alright! Let's go—Shigaraki, Toga, Kurogiri, Dabi. Don't dawdle. I don't want the others mad at me."

"How do you know our names?" Toga asked.

Morana didn't answer.

"Do you know where you're going?" Shigaraki asked instead.

"Of course!" she laughed, green eyes bright. "I live here."

Reluctantly, they followed.

The sight that greeted them made everyone stop.

Lanterns glowed softly along a stone path beneath a canopy of trees. A massive cabin—almost a mansion—stood ahead, its glass wall stretching from floor to ceiling. Gardens flourished across the yard, a greenhouse and shed nearby. A creek flowed peacefully through the front.

Laughter echoed.

Masked figures moved about casually. A green-haired boy watered the garden. A blue-haired man carried tools from the shed. A little girl peeked out holding knives—then bolted back inside when she noticed them.

"Guys!" Morana called.

"You're back," the green-haired boy said, noticing the guests. "...And you brought people."

"The League of Villains wanted a break," Morana explained cheerfully. "So I brought them."

"You couldn't have just left them?" the blue-haired man asked.

"Come on, Mer—Mercury," she pleaded. "We have spare rooms, masks, clothes—"

Zuki shook his head. "A few weeks. Lily and Ari don't like strangers."

Morana clapped happily.

Mercury held out his hand. "Call me Mercury."

"Are you villains?" Toga asked cautiously.

"No," he replied calmly. "We just live here."

Inside, Toga gasped. "I wanna live here forever!"

"Who are they?" Lily asked sharply.

"They're staying for a bit," Virus replied.

"Have you told them who you are?" Lily asked.

"...No."

"Then we should," Morana said.

Masks came off.

Recognition hit instantly.

"...Heroes-in-training," Dabi muttered.

"We won't turn you in," Izuku said calmly. "Just wear masks outside."

The masks were chosen. Silence followed.

Finally, Uraraka sighed. "Ask your questions."

And slowly—awkwardly—the two worlds began to coexist.