Chapter Text
In the back of the armoured truck, a tanuki girl with blue hair and brown and black fur stared up at the roof, laying on the bench silently within. A tear slipped from her pink and teal eyes as she retreated under the surveillance of armed guards and heroes across from her, all of them humans, tasked to 'escort' her and her companion, Shirou Ogami, to a reinforced facility to either be observed, tested or dissected. Speaking of her friend, the immortal wolf-beastman beside her was bound in chains that strangled his wrists, limbs and neck, as he lay unconscious.
With every bump the van passed, Shirou's body jolted against the metal bench.
Between the two of them, Shirou was easily classed as the 'most dangerous', and therefore had been forced unconscious from... 'heroic methods'.
Michiru glared at the 'Number One Hero', All Might, with newfound contempt as the man tried to retain his usual confidence-inspiring expression despite the guilt he was squashing down for the girl who was clearly having what may be the most stressful and torturous day of her young life so far...
And boy oh boy, All Might wouldn’t know how close he had hit that nail on the head. It had only been less than a day, ten hours total, since disaster followed the reckoning of Alan Sylvasta. After it had been discovered that the rich and influential human was actually a 'divine pure-blooded beastman with godly power who, through extensive and intensive police investigation was discovered to have somehow existed for several centuries without drawing attention', chaos had erupted. His semi-cruel plan had been to unwillingly convert all beastmen into human counterparts permanently by utilising their emotions at times of high stress to activate and manipulate a very particular chemical that stress created. Beastmen within Anima city were driven berserk and destruction spanned the city comparable to that of Gotham without Batman to protect it, as Sylvasta played god. It was only thanks to student Michiru Kagemori and her detective partner Shirou, that they were able to stop his plans before anyone was forced to become something they hated. Humans.
Yeah, what a pleasurable weekend for a high-school girl and an honourable vigilante detective to wake up to THIS at three o'clock in the morning...
All Might shifted in his front-and-centre seat as he faced both the tanuki girl and wolf man on either side of the van. Her steel gaze still hadn’t lessened, but no amount of staring would cause a ‘change of heart’ within these assholes.
Such was the divided world they live in. It was known well among beastmen that humans acted domineering throughout history, thinking themselves as supreme and above all other creatures - and often nature itself. All Beastmen were most commonly seen by humanity as rabid animals who cheaply imitated human nature, behaviour and customs. -As 'second class citizens', much like racism and sexism had segmented the world in the past... The only difference was that beastism never seemed to end, despite the eon-long conflict.
Beastmen would always seemingly remain 'beneath' humanity in their eyes, and, making up only three-to-five percent of the world's population, there really was nothing they could do about it... If humanity wanted, they could wipe out beastmen as a species in seconds. The only reason they hadn't was because of twisted people like Alan Sylvasta who wanted to exploit beastmen, either for humour, control or simply because they could.
As the van they were all situated in finally rolled to a stop, Shirou was forcefully tumbled out the back with no regard for safety, hitting the floor with a *thump* (still unconscious), as a human guard with a baton leered.
"Beastmen scum, can't believe any of you are still alive. We shoulda nuked you decades ago-" a resounding creak echoed as All Might placed his large hand upon the guard's shoulder, the creak coming from the pressure it was being squeezed.
"They've suffered enough, do not make it worse when it doesn't need to be. Actions like that don't help anyone." as the man gulped down a retort and bowed his head, he felt his shoulder cramp in pain as the hero released it, sighing in relief and giving one final glare towards Michiru, as though his reprand was her fault to begin with.
She barely managed to hear the whispered 'Demons.' as they were escorted away, the girl subsequently closing in on herself causing another guard to forcefully push her forward.
To the side, All Might's eyes sank with pity, feeling helpless to do anything but watch.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Michiru growled under her breath, "I was human once too, asshole." but dropped the rest, disregarding any continuation as she knew that arguing for the beastmen would only fall on deaf ears - not that any of this was fair though.
They entered a large building, well known throughout Japan and most of the world as 'Tartarus Prison', the most secure prison since the days of 'Alcatraz', - and mostly made to contain megalomaniacs, which spoke great lengths about how threatening she and Shirou unnecessarily seemed to them.
Being forced through countless security checks whilst blindfolded, likely in order to protect the prison's undisclosed security measures, they eventually ended up within a cliché interrogation room. The walls were grey concrete, although something told Michiru they were far sturdier than any normal concrete wall would seem, and of course off to one side was what she could only presume was ten layers of thick-sheet, blast-proof glass leading to the room where ‘professionals’ were observing them.
A moment later, a man Michiru presumed was the head detective entered, wearing a beige trench coat and fedora. Short black hair poked out from beneath, but he remained stoic and professional in his expression, (as a professional must).
"Sorry to have you both brought here so abruptly, and despite my doubts, I hope you weren't hurt between locations."
Immediately, Michiru huffed, almost growling as she vocally 'bit' at the man. "Yeah right! Cut the crap, mister! If this is supposed to be some kind of 'good cop, bad cop' scenario where one of your friends comes through that door there in a minute or two, getting in our faces and screaming 'where is she?' then don't bother! In case you didn't already know, Shirou here is the best detective in Anima city, and I've been working with him for a while now, I know your tricks!" Michiru tried her best to stick out her chin defiantly as if to prove her certainty beneath her loud act, but beneath she was terrified.
Perhaps her act came out a little childish to the other, as the detective had to stifle a very subtle chuckle before straightening his expression. The man then raised an eyebrow, before shaking his head solemnly, looking to the one-way glass. "Well, that wasn't the exact plan, but I suppose you were quite right regardless. Come in, Principle Nedzu, I suppose we should start things off all at once instead."
The reinforced door creaked open, as a small white animal only about a foot tall entered wearing formal clothes befitting of someone proud and important entered.
At that moment, Michiru could positively state that she had never seen anyone, beastman or normal animal, who looked as strange as this 'Principle Nedzu', and for that reason, not much else of the situation really surprised her any more than he did.
"Good evening, Miss Kagemori. It's a pleasure to meet you- although I wouldn't blame you for disagreeing in this current situation. Am I a mouse, am I a bear? Who knows! But put simply, my name is Principle Nedzu as Detective Tsukauchi introduced me earlier, and despite the understandable doubt you may have, I am actually here to your favour."
The tanuki squinted judgmentally, before huffing and glancing over towards Shirou beside her. She noticed despite his slumped posture that one eye, carefully hidden from view, was trained on her, signifying that he was secretly awake.
She withheld all reactions as she tactfully looked away with disappointment in her expression.
"So let me guess, you're just here to send us both to some ward to be dissected and examined- or perhaps just lock us away for eternity to rot within cells for some absurd 'you broke the law' excuse or another. Has anyone actually informed you that we committed no crimes? Or are you just going to ignore that fact anyway?" she snarked, doing her best performance to hide her reassurance knowing Shirou was awake and likely planning some way to escape as she speaks.
"As a matter of fact, I'd like to prevent those situations from happening. That is the reason I am here." Just as Nedzu finished, the detective nodded and suddenly, a hologram lit up from the centre of the table displaying what seemed to be a video recording of not only Michiru using her unique beast powers of multiform-transformation, but a celestial Shirou defeating a god-like Sylvasta with a beam of pure, unrelenting, silver light that could likely demolish cities if the thought was carried out.
Just as the hologram paused, Michiru forced herself to reign in her shocked expression and cleared her throat. "O-okay, I get it now... You just want to use us. Like some kind of... weapons."
The small animal tilted his head in discomfort, before shaking his head, surprising Michiru. "Depending on how you see it, I suppose in a loose term that suspicion is correct..." at hearing this, she immediately scowled, telling herself off for being deceived and having hope, "But to tell you the truth, that's not exactly it..."
"-I simply want you both to enter my school!" he finished with glee as Michiru processed the absurdity of what he just said.
"Wh-what?"
The detective cut in, likely trying to retain whatever semblance of professionalism he could on their end with a subtle sigh at the animal's seemingly expected antics. "Principle Nedzu is the headmaster of Yuuei. Have you heard of it?"
Heard of it...?
Wide pink and grey eyes blinked slowly in confusion. It took a solid twenty seconds, and everything that Michiru had not to look at Shirou, before the girl could respond, realising the seriousness in his voice. "Y-Yuuei... Y-you're only talking about the best Heroics school in Japan, t-top in the w-world. That U.A. ...?" her voice held disbelief. At this point, it was hard for the girl to hold a steady voice, despite how much she tried to take Shirou's usual steely attitude as a good example.
"That's the one!" Nedzu grinned as he made a point to look at the detective, who seemingly understood the action and pulled out a clear bag, within which held her.... old human identification among other legal documents. All legal documents existing from back before Michiru had ever been turned into a beastman. Watermarks of her past that brought the girl's eyes to fall in remembrance of her past hopeful goal to return to humanity someday....
It all seemed so distant in the past now, but she never expected for it to catch up to her so suddenly...
"Kagemori Michiru. Human girl, type AB- blood. Birthdate is the 13th of May, 2203, and an ex-student of Reiwa High School- until she mysteriously disappeared over a year ago. Despite this, her parents never followed up with a missing-person's report…" as he continued, she felt her heartbeat escalate erratically as fear overcame her senses. Terror of what these people might be capable of with all that they knew. If they knew she used to be human, yet somehow had turned into a beastman, what were they truly planning to do with her?
Would they try something similar to what Alan Sylvasta did: forcefully turn all beastmen into humans? Or what if the Japanese government tried to create some kind of human-turned-beastman super army to take over the world...! Or- or...
"How you became a beastman is not any of our concern, Miss Kagemori." Nedzu's voice sliced through the girl's panic, and only then did she come to notice that Shirou's handcuffs had warped ever so slightly under the tense pressure he had placed on them whilst silently listening.
Tsukauchi continued in the principle's heed, "We already know everything about what Sylvasta was doing, and have taken immediate action in covering up that information and destroying it to stop the world from plunging into chaos concerning your existence. Instead, principle Nedzu is simply here to offer you a place at UA to become a hero of Japan, entirely due to your incredibly courageous actions in the last twenty-four hours. We've already looked into your file, and… forgoing… your technical vigilante work with Shirou Ogami, you have saved many lives throughout many situations, always working for the safety of others. That is why this offer exists."
Over the span of a few seconds, Michiru's eyes frowned, glowed in faint hope but then diminishing again.
"B-But... what's the point if everyone there is just going to h-hate me? Sure, I used to be human, but now I'm a beastman, and I don't want that to change either. I've grown to accept and love who I am now; Anima city really grew on me..."
Nedzu smirked. "Well, in surveillance recordings, you displayed some... unprecedented abilities. Transformations between a multitude of animal species, as well as the extension and expansion of your limbs and body parts, tail included... None of that is quite what a 'stereotypical beastman' is capable of... Your friend and his powers are… similar in their own regard... Isn't that right, Mr. Ogami?"
The wolf beastman, despite surprised, realised he had been called out for his acting, and growled, "I am not here to negotiate becoming some kind of pawn to you humans. If that is the case, don't assume you can contain me here permanently, either."
Showing no hint of worry, the principle continued, "Your power is unique. You transformed into a wolf completely, something that no other beastmen's hybrid transformations can do, and furthermore, you seem to resemble one that appears only in beastman folklore; the Silver Wolf, if I am correct..." Shirou growled, raising his head and piercing gaze to the abnormal animal across them. "Whilst I do wonder how you seem to have lived for over one thousand years, again, that's not why I am here..."
"Then why are you here?!” Shirou snarled as his claws banged the metal table. “You can't seriously expect ME to go to this school with Michiru, I am not a teenager."
Unfazed by his outburst, Nedzu seemed to come to a conclusive thought in his head, ignoring the other’s stale retort. "Werewolf. That is what your metaphorical 'quirk' could be, hidden from plain view among humans without them ever being the wiser."
"And why the hell would I want that?! I live to protect beastmen, especially from humans! In what regard would any of this benefit either me, or my life dedication?"
"Mr Ogami...." Nedzu undertook a shiver-inducing grin as the two locked eyes like predators. "What I'm talking about... Is the epitome of your goal to protect beastmen. To stop needing to protect them entirely. I want the both of you, to revolutionise this world, and bridge the gap between humans and beastmen alike for the betterment of all." Nedzu pointed towards them before spinning around and gesturing towards the ceiling as though revelling beneath countless stars.
"And how on Earth do you propose that? Bearing in mind that I wouldn't mind seeing all of humanity burn regardless, for how many times I've seen them betray not just beastmen, but themselves with their greedy ways. Of what true benefit is any of this? I've done a fine job of protecting all beastmen in Anima city from you humans, and will continue to do so for all eternity; I have no care to join this wretched world together." Shirou planted his feet in resolution as his maw bared itself, razor-sharp canines displaying proudly towards the two opposite who remained unfazed.
Nedzu lowered his head and closed his eyes calmly.
"Imagine crime rate in the world, especially on humanity's part, decreasing - eventually to nothing! Imagine seeing the world unify, much like it did when both racism and sexism were abolished all those centuries ago. Imagine not needing to worry about whether you are human or beastman as you walk the streets to buy groceries. About not constantly protecting your people from bombings, terrorism, ambushes and just general prejudice and violence. Even if you feel 'satisfied' with the way things are now, what about all the other beastmen? Would it be wrong of me to at least assume some of them would wish dearly for the world to finally find some peace after all this war?"
Michiru dropped her head, his words were hitting weak spots within her as her eyes watered. She knew that, at some point only a little more than a year ago, she herself had lived with all these thoughts from the moment she had become a beastman and learnt what it was truly like to live with the prejudice that came with it. She particularly recalled the fresh memory from just prior to this conversation; of the guard who called them 'demons', and she imagined what it would have been like if that hadn't happened at all.
Shirou seemed to notice this, as his own steely expression softened ever so slightly upon seeing the girl's retreated, insecure form. Michiru was cracking.
Eyes hardening once more, he glared upwards. "And if I listen to what you have to say. What are you proposing I do?"
"It's just as simple a solution, honestly. Become a teacher at UA. A specialised teacher of heroics standing alongside other top heroes of the world, with the responsibility of training the next generation of kids to protect a more unified world. If we want change, it's in the youth that we can find it. Not the elderly who are stubbornly set in their ways. Start with a disguise - as I said, due to your powers it wouldn't be farfetched to treat you as a human with a 'werewolf quirk', as your speed, strength and full transformation are all things no other beastmen have ever displayed. The only thing I'd suggest is dramatising the transformation between forms to look different to normal beastman transformations, and there you have it, a solid disguise and ‘legal’ identity that of course both I and Tsukauchi here can reinforce with particular... favours. I hope you can see just how serious I am about this all now, Ogami-san." the principle's paws held together neatly above the metallic table as, for the first time yet, Shirou managed to truly take in his cold, sterile surroundings.
The wolf beastman took a moment to consider everything as he glanced over at Michiru. The girl had easily become one of the most important parts of his life in the short amount of time they had known each other (months being short in comparison to the millennia Shirou had lived). It surprised him how much a human-turned-beastman could prove to show such kindness in this world, and perhaps she was the only reason he was giving this entire thing any thought at all...
"What about her? What are your exact plans with Michiru? Send her as a student just to brainwash her into some bioweapon held in humanity's palm?" he asked, eyes narrowing more than ever as he scanned the other for faults in his facade..
"Well, I don't have to say much to sway you on that, do I, since you know you're going to be with her the entire time anyway. Kagemori-san here already has a legitimate human presence left in this world. Despite having been missing for a year and a half now, it would actually be far easier to ensure she is protected in this situation than yourself even. Documents would be easy to update, and suspicion would be low, as many people have known her for their lives, and there are many imprints to reinforce her identity such as her very much human parents and ancestors, for example."
Shirou... took one breath. Then two.
"...I wish for you all to give us both one minute to discuss this offer. Leave the room, and turn off all microphones so that we may discuss this freely. You can watch through the glass or cameras to reassure yourselves we aren't escaping, I don't care."
Nedzu nodded fairly, waving off the detective's wariness of procedure. "I give you my word that I will turn off all microphones to give you your privacy. The moment you are done, simply nod to the glass and we will return." Recognising the beastman was entirely serious, and that this may be what makes or breaks their proposal, Nedzu then motioned for Tsukauchi to follow him despite the detective's confliction.
The door to the room shut closed with a metallic ring and all too suddenly, the pair were left in a room that seemed too silent, as they both knew that just in the monitoring room adjacent, countless voices were speaking behind the one-way glass.
Turning towards Michiru, Shirou had only one question to ask. "Michiru... what do you think? Do you feel capable enough to do this? Do you even want to do this? If not, then I won't let it happen and I'll make sure we both get back to Anima city, no matter what." his gruff voice was apathetic as always, yet being around him for so long, the tanuki girl was able to tell he worried for her.
It didn't take a detective however, to realise that despite the extension of the wolf's claws and the strained seriousness in his deep tone, there was a sense of... hopelessness in his voice. As though it needn't be stated that their current situation was much harder to solve than he treated it as...
"I... I don't know..."
"Then-"
"-wait!" she stopped Shirou from speaking, "T-that doesn't mean… 'no'… It just means… I don't know. Like… I spent so much time dreaming of going back, but in the end, I just ended up coming to care so much for Anima city and all of the people living there… Jackie. Nazuna. Mayor Rose - even that dirty weasel Marie!" Michiru's distant smile soured playfully at the thought of the cheeky mink weasel. Yup. Definitely a weasel…
Focus, Michiru!
"Then none of this is worth it-"
"-But... I want nothing more than to stop all of this ridiculous prejudice! I-I've experience both sides of this... I lived most of my life as a human who knew next-to-nothing about beastmen, until one day I suddenly became one myself. I learnt the hard way, just how difficult it is to be a beastman in a human world..." her head raised, watery eyes glistening as they locked with the wolf's. "Shirou... I spent my first entire year as a beastman, locked away in my room, rotting away in endless fear of the next day, never sleeping at night, and I had no-one, no-one, to go to."
-"...I don't want anyone to suffer like I did, especially since most beastmen have suffered worse than that. Not just for a few years, but for their entire lives. Shirou.... You've spent one thousand years tormented by your past and have tried so endlessly to fix it... I don't want you to spend another thousand years doing the exact same... And if it means doing all this, then... then I want to try!" she clenched her hands tight and stared up at the wolf with a unfalteringly determined gaze, and within her teal orbs Shirou found himself believing her conviction more and more himself.
...
"Alright." I believe in you, Michiru... And with that, he nodded towards the glass and the detective and principle entered once again.
"What is the final verdict?" Nedzu asked with patient excitement.
"That we will comply. However, I have only one demand on your part."
"And what would that be?"
"That not a single scratch comes to harm Michiru in any way outside of this hero training. Should a single child of yours touch her or accuse her for anything she can't help, I am not at all against breaking their limbs as warning." he levelled a cold, serious stare at the animal.
Nedzu only smiled, however. "Do not worry, Mr Ogami. I do not plan to let a single child with issues against her, let alone any beastmen, proceed in our course. As I said before, this next generation is where things must change for the better; as the most prestigious school in the world, our influence would be significant if every hero we create from now is beastman-rights supportive."
"Good… And one last thing." Shirou grumbled, already feeling tired of this whole ordeal. "What is the final aim of this all? How are we actually expected to change anything at all?"
"By the end of the students' third year at UA, they will have grown inseparably close to one another, and all should have formed strong bonds with Michiru-san. Revealing both her and your true identities to them could be all we need to show them that beastmen truly aren't as bad or different as many people depict them to be; having grown to respect Michiru-san and yourself for your strengths and capability."
"And what if that fails?! What if those kids leak our identity and all this proves to be for nothing?"
"Don't worry. I can assure you that at the very least, that will not happen. Any outcome of that sort can be concealed by UA and handled appropriately. I understand that this seems like an uncertain outcome, but I have high expectations in those who enter my school- especially the current candidates for this next year of students. The school's entrance exams took place only a week ago, and I can assure you, that we are making every effort to include not only the strongest and the cleanest-record students, but those with the largest hearts and open minds. Those who have no anti-beastmen acts to their name are a specific entry criteria."
Michiru eventually spoke up, voice calm yet quiet. "...We're going to need some accommodation close-by since our home in Anima city is too far to travel daily, as well as those documents of citizenship and such. Will that all happen before schools open? And when is that anyway?" so many questions were flying through her head as she spoke, but Nedzu merely smiled his usual smile as he reached the door.
"We're about to show you all that right now. You mustn't forget, you're now affiliated with some of the most influential people in Japan, getting suitable accommodations and documents for you are the absolute least of our worries. All I ask of you both, is that you rest and take it easy for when the term starts three days from now. Now, follow me you two and let's finally get out of here. I've never been much of a fan of this prison, especially considering a few of the villains occupying these cells are ones I've put here..."
~oOo~
From behind the glass, two heroes watched as the Tanuki girl and Wolf man spoke with the detective and principle.
All Might, now deflated as Toshinori Yagi among trusted colleagues and friends, sighed. "If only it weren't necessary for so much to be placed upon their shoulders. There must be some way I can help as well..."
"You may be the 'Symbol of Peace' and number-one hero, but that doesn't mean the world will instantly follow your support of equal beastmen rights. This is going to take time between us all. I can already feel a migraine coming on from the warnings in my head screaming just how much of a problem-child this girl is going to be..." Shota Aizawa, the underground pro-hero Eraserhead and trusted teacher at UA grumbled. "God, I already regret signing to have all those kids in my class... Perhaps I should ask Sekijiro if I can trade classes with him before this all starts..."
"I'm afraid it's likely a little too late for that, my friend. And anyway, if any of the teachers should be in on all this, it's undoubtedly you. It all comes down to us Aizawa to ensure this class comes out as Nedzu envisions it. You're the best of the best at judging potential and character within people -as much as I hate to admit it for all those previous year classes you've expelled..."
"Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you keep to your end of this plan, too."
The emaciated All Might merely nodded steadily as the four within the interrogation room left after coming to their agreement.