Encroachment

Chapter 12: Lead

Izuku had always wanted to attended, or at least visit, UA at some point. Up until he had been possessed. The large school building loomed over him as the sludge stared impassively at its gaping gate. Viran was perched inside one of the large trees that stood on the opposite side of the road that the school was positioned against. The school was not a sight Midoriya was unaccustomed to, but it was very different in person. Staring at the building, Izuku felt his heart begin to stutter. Old dreams and hope welled up in his stomach, but he was quick to swallow them down. Dribs and drabs of pupils wearing the renown U.A. uniform filtered in and out of the school. Most of them were smiling. Warmth began to liquidise in the boy's eyes. Viran was quick to blink them away with a grunt. There were some good teachers entering the building also. Though his vision was obscured by leaves and chunky branches, Izuku recognised the Cementoss, Midnight and even the yellow haired, loud voiced President Mic. Had it been a year earlier, the sight of the heroes would have sent him into a giddy frenzy. He would have been rendered useless, aside from his ability to mumble incoherently. Instead, the sight of each new teacher made something cold slither down his back.

A rumble echoed in Sludge's throat. He scratched his chin and eyed them as they passed. A small notebook was clenched in his hand and his lips were pressed into a thin line. The fresh morning air filled his lungs and orange rays were threaded through the blue sky. The sludge was wearing very baggy and loose clothing. Large round sunglasses rested on the tip of his nose and his hood was pulled down to his eyebrows. Even still, the Sludge wore the same red shoes Izuku was wearing the day he was possessed.

The Sludge shifted his weight ever so slightly. A gaping yawn stretched Midoriya's features. Every muscle in his body ached and cried to move position. Viran's eyes narrowed in on a man who was strolling at a slow pace. He seemed to be headed for the school gates. On his head was a scraggly mop of black locks and around his neck was a thin grey scarf that looped over him multiple times. He was too far away for Midoriya to make out any of his features clearly, but even from a distance he could see the heavy bags under the man's eyes. Very suddenly there was a streak of grey and blue that whizzed past the man, shouting greetings at all the other pupils he passed.

The Sludge narrowed in on the man in black clothing with the unkempt hair. Izuku felt tickles embrace his brain before information swamped his senses. The boy could feel his hand flying over the paper. Aizawa. The man's name was Aizawa and his hero name was Eraser Head. He could prevent someone from using their quirks just by looking at them, but it had a flaw. The Sludge was sure to note that. Izuku broke out into a cold sweat. This man had a lot of information in his head. All the information that the league of Villain's needed for their next move. The sludge increased his oxygen uptake to slow Izuku's racing heart. Aizawa meandered inside the school gates, his hands stuffed carelessly into his pockets. Knots of frustration formed in Izuku's chest, all the while his hand was racing over the paper. The profuse writing only stopped when the teacher finally slipped inside the school doors, breaking his connection with Midoriya and leaving the boy to wonder who the man with the black hair was.

*

Tsukauchi was standing up straight. His narrowed eyes scanned the bright orange room in front of him. Hundreds of shelves covered in all kinds of weapons, armour and trinkets were lining the walls of an otherwise ordinary living room. It even had a red couch angled at a large television screen. At the opposite end, there were massive glass windows with curtains drawn over them. All except one. Although there were some small gaps on several of the shelves, most of them were packed to the brim with items. All except one. A shelf by the couch that was nearly completely vacant.

Police were buzzing in and out of the flat. Yellow tape was layered over the door and there were forensics already working in the bedroom. Tsukauchi pushed his hat a little further up his forehead. His brown trench coat flapped around his knees. With a small sigh, he made his way to the half empty shelf and eyed it closely. All it contained was a few small vials of a dark and swirling liquid. The detective leaned in closer. The liquid seemed to absorb all light that entered into it. That wasn't all that caught his eye. The shelf was covered in a fine layer of dust, except a long thin space on its empty surface. "Detective Tsukauchi," a familiar voice spoke next to his side. Tsukauchi jumped and whipped his head upwards. Two yellow, slitted eyes were peering at him. The feline officer's ears perked up and he bowed ever so slightly, "my apologies for startling you, but I have some very important information."

Tsukauchi waved the ginger tom off with a smile. "It's quite alright, I just didn't hear you approach."

Officer Sansa straightened to his full height. His pink nose twitched. "I went through the security footage from outside the flats." The cat stated, "and I believe I have found an image of the murderer, who we are under the impression is the copycat killer." The Officer pulled out a large screen from his pocket and displayed it to the detective. Tsukauchi stiffened. There he was, far up in the corner of the image. The Killer, looking out into the darkness of the city. An intricately designed sword by his side, a black and white horned mask on his face, a pristine suit on his body and a few small curls of dark hair poking out the top of his head. The quality of the footage made it difficult to distinguish the smaller features and muted the colours, but he was there.

Tsukauchi scratched his chin and hummed. Sansa returned the device to his pocket and stared intensely at the detective. "Good work Officer." Tsukauchi praised him, "contact the media team and prepare them for some information about The Copycat Killer." He turned to the black vials on the half empty shelf and gently pointed to them, "I'm going to get these examined by forensics." He explained gentle before stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Sansa dipped his head slightly, "I'll get on top of that." He answered quickly. Yellow eyes flicked momentarily to the vials of dark liquid before darting around the many shelves in the room. "Where did all of these objects come from?" He queried.

"Kaleidoscope was under investigation. It was believed she was illegally taking objects from the scenes of the crimes she successfully prevented. That's why we had a security camera aimed at her window, but she never opened the curtains." Tsukauchi ran a steady eye over the many odds and ends dotted around the shelves. "I presume this confirms her guilt."

Officer Sansa ears flattened against his skull. "So the Copycat beat us to the punch?" Tsukauchi simply dipped his head in response.