Forgotten Invitation (UA Civil War game)

The Devil's Gambit

UA Faculty Room – Three Days After the Call

The faculty room buzzed with confusion, and I couldn't help but let my smile grow just a bit wider. After all, surprises often led to the best outcomes, didn't they?

Me: So, we'll be adding a little twist to the upcoming hero-villain training exercise.

All eyes were on me now, most of them wide and disbelieving.

Aizawa: What kind of 'twist' are we talking about here?

I could hear the suspicion in his voice. His gaze was sharp, his posture slouched as always, but even Eraser Head couldn't hide his intrigue behind that stoic expression of his. I leaned forward in my chair, paws clasped together.

Me: We're going to let a villain loose in the city.

There. I said it. I let it hang in the air like the calm before a storm. The reactions came immediately, just as I had anticipated.

Present Mic: WHAT?! Are you INSANE?! WE CAN'T JUST—

Aizawa: Nezu, this is reckless.

Midnight: You've got to be joking...

Snipe: A real villain? In a training exercise with students?

Ah, there it was. 

The chorus of voices filled the room with a mixture of shock, anger, and disbelief. I leaned back in my chair, watching as they exchanged glances, trying to make sense of what I'd just told them.

Me: Now, now, calm down. It's not just any villain. They won't pose a real threat to the students' lives.

Aizawa, however, wasn't buying it. His arms were crossed, and his eyes narrowed. He was more perceptive than the others.

Aizawa: Who is this villain? And why now?

Good questions, as always. I tapped a paw on the table thoughtfully, letting my mind wander back to the strange, rather entertaining call I'd received three days ago. Usagi... Now that was a mystery I intended to unravel. But first, I had to see how the teachers would react to this little shift in the game.

Me: The villain in question goes by the name 'Usagi.' I've had an... interesting encounter with them recently. They are calculated, intelligent, and—above all—intriguing.

Present Mic: Wait, wait, wait. You talked to this villain, and you're still willing to let them roam free in a training exercise?!

Me: Yes.

His mouth dropped open in disbelief. I could practically hear his internal screech of protest, but I continued.

Me: They don't know our plans, and they won't be putting students in immediate danger. Think of it as... an advanced challenge for our students. A puzzle, if you will. He even promised not to do anything to the student as he complained to be invited.

Aizawa didn't seem amused. His gaze hardened.

Aizawa: We can't control a real villain like one of our own simulations. We have students  who could get seriously hurt. Besides your Uasgi attacked the USJ building and was responsible for my class and myself getting hospitalized.

I smiled, already prepared for this line of thinking.

Me: That's why we'll maintain strict surveillance, and the staff will be ready to intervene at any moment. Usagi is smart but not unpredictable. They'll be playing by the rules of the game, even if they don't know it yet.

Midnight: But why invite an actual villain at all? Why not just keep things between the students?

Recovery Girl: Why the fuck are you doing this?

Me: It would be a good training session for them?

Recovery Girl: So your fun?

Me: Precisely.

Thirteen: I can't believe he just admitted it....

I could see the worry in her eyes, the natural instinct to protect the students shining through her usual playful demeanor. It was a valid question.

Me: Alright, it is like this.... the students need to experience something real. A villain who doesn't follow the script, who doesn't adhere to textbook patterns. Usagi represents something they'll face as real pro heroes—someone cunning, someone who isn't just brute strength but who plays mind games.

Snipe shifted in his seat, looking more skeptical than usual.

Snipe: And you're sure this 'Usagi' won't escalate things? AFTER he already managed to nearly kill everyone there?

Me: Quite sure. They're more interested in the game than in causing harm. In fact, I believe Usagi views this as an opportunity to test themselves as much as they do our students. It's a rare chance to study someone like that up close.

I leaned back again, the slight creak of my chair echoing in the silence that followed. They were all thinking it through now, the initial shock of my proposal giving way to contemplation. It was a lot to take in, of course, but I had no doubt they would come around.

Aizawa: We'll need a failsafe.

Ah, there it was. The first sign of concession. I nodded.

Me: Naturally. We'll set up containment measures in case Usagi steps out of line. The teachers will be on standby at all times, ready to neutralize the situation if it gets out of hand. But trust me, this villain wants to see how far they can push our students without causing real harm. I suspect they value the game more than the destruction.

Present Mic: I still think this is nuts, but... Nezu, you're not gonna budge on this, are you?

Me: No, I'm not.

I grinned, folding my paws neatly on the table again. 

Me: This is an educational opportunity unlike any we've ever had. And we can't pass it up just because it's unconventional.

Midnight sighed, rubbing her temples.

Midnight: What are we really dealing with here?..... I mean he send people to hospital... nearly kills people and he what? Called yu to complain? Bold isn't he?

I nodded. That, of course, was already in the works.

Me: I'll be working closely to gather more intel on them. But for now, all you need to know is that Usagi is crafty, clever, and—most importantly—controlled. I'll personally ensure that this exercise runs smoothly. Nothing will happen that we don't have the capacity to handle.

Aizawa still looked displeased, but I could tell he was starting to consider the strategic merit of the situation. His eyes flickered over to Midnight, who shrugged, and then to Present Mic, who was muttering something under his breath.

Aizawa: I'm not happy about this. I am against this shit.

Me: I understand your concerns. But this is exactly what the students need. A real challenge. They're going to face villains in the real world who won't hold back, and this exercise will prepare them for that reality.

The tension in the room slowly began to dissipate, though it was clear not everyone was entirely on board just yet. That was fine. They didn't need to be. Not right away. But they would be, in time.

Vlad king: We're going to need a detailed plan on how you expect us to monitor this 'Usagi' and keep the students safe.

Me: Of course. I'll have that ready by tomorrow.

Present Mic: I've got a bad feeling about this...

With the conversation beginning to wind down, I stood, signaling the end of the meeting.

Me: Thank you for your input, everyone. Trust me when I say, this is going to be a learning experience for us all. And I'll be keeping a very close eye on Usagi.

The faculty slowly began to file out of the room, though Aizawa lingered for a moment longer. He shot me one last scrutinizing glance before following the others.

Oh, Usagi...

You were kind enough to give me a call... now here is what you want.....

I hope I will not regret this.