Chapter Text
Izuku Midoriya was confused. He could’ve sworn that he went back to bed in his dorm at Heights Alliance, not in some hotel. ‘Did a villain do this? Is there another Warper Nomu we haven’t caught yet responsible for this?’ he wondered. ‘Wait – No, I don’t think there’s anything as precise as this. Then what else could this be? One of Principal Nezu’s practical quizzes?’
Despite his unease, the green-haired student couldn’t help but admire what appeared to be his suite. It seemed fit for a king or at least someone in the top percentile, way more than he felt he deserved. His inspection led him to a note left on the courtesy desk, printed in both English and Japanese:
Good morning, Izuku Midoriya,
We welcome you and your party to Coral Grove, the premier indoor resort for an elite clientele, of which you are now a member. Certain interest groups have determined that your efforts are due for a fitting reward. To learn more, we humbly request your attendance in the main hall along with our other guests at 1000 hours (see the attached map and directions).
We hope you and yours enjoy your stay.
Management
“Well, that was pleasantly vague,” Izuku sighed before pulling out the desk chair, spotting a change of shorts and a katakana-emblazoned Hawaiian shirt resting on it. “... And slightly creepy.”
– ☲ –
After a quick shower and an elevator ride, Izuku arrived at the designated floor, still nervously scanning the area. “What did the letter mean by ‘my party’?” the hero student asked himself. “Just a couple of my friends? My entire class? My family? Some of the heroes I’ve worked with? Anyone else? If this is a trap, would this place have security measures for this rather than a fake hotel?”
At last, he spotted the double-doored entry to the alleged main hall. “Moment of truth, Izuku,” the young hero breathed. “An ambush or a surprise, be prepared.” The boy took an audible breath and pushed the doors.
“Well, look who took his sweet time to get here!” called the boisterous voice Izuku knew all too well. Standing around a meter away from the doorway stood Katsuki Bakugo, the most constant figure in Izuku’s life, whose status was a bit of a rollercoaster until things were settled as a “friendly rival”. “Did you think that just because your Quirk is evolving meant everyone has to wait for you, Deku?”
“Kacchan?” Izuku asked in surprise. “You’re here too?”
“Not just me, nerd,” Katsuki groused. “Nearly everyone is here.”
“Everyone?”
“Deku, I know you’re not deaf,” Katsuki scoffed before turning to the crowd behind him. “Deku’s finally here, you extras!”
The mass of chatter finally quieted down as the group turned towards the remaining pair. A mixture of “Midoriya”s, “Deku”s, and the stray “Izuku” (each with the odd honorific) filled the room as their sources started converging on the hero student.
“Hey, guys,” Izuku timidly grinned.
Sure enough, the rest of Class 1-A swarmed around Izuku (and Katsuki to a lesser extent).
“Deku-kun, do you know what’s going on?” Ochako Uraraka asked, getting rather close to the boy’s face.
“We’ve each woken up in separate rooms and followed the provided directions here,” Tenya Iida stated stiffly. “But the doors refused to open once we tried to leave.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Izuku started, “but why hasn’t anyone tried breaking them down?” That’s when he noticed more people drawing near: the entirety of Class 1-B, Hitoshi Shinsou, Mei Hatsume, and the Big Three. As he looked further on, Izuku spotted the rest of the gathering, consisting mostly of the more renowned U.A. staff and a variety of pro heroes. There were other figures he couldn’t make out, and, unfortunately, his attention was taken away from that sight.
“Did it ever occur to you that we’ve already tried, Midoriya?” Neito Monoma waxed rhetorically. “I guess 1-A’s battle prowess doesn’t translate to common sense, does it?”
“Do you want another time-out?” Itsuka Kendo growled, her arm trained for another neck chop.
“There’s more to it than that,” Kyouka Jirou sighed. “Try activating your Quirk, Midoriya.”
Izuku tried just that, expecting his body to be enveloped by the green-hued energy of his Full Cowling… and nothing happened.
“Yep, all of our Quirks have been disabled,” the punk rocker girl affirmed by pointing to her earjacks, which were now recoiled to her earlobes. “Lucky for me, I had these reeled back, or else they’d be dangling all over.”
“Not to mention that even the strongest among us were unable to make a dent anywhere,” Momo Yaoyorozu confirmed.
“And given the nature of how we were led here,” Shoto Todoroki concluded, “there is a high certainty that we have no chance against whoever is behind this.”
“So, this is a trap then,” Izuku looked down. “I caught the eyes of some unknown villain faction, and now everyone I know is paying the price for it.”
“Now, now. That line of thinking isn’t fit for any of my students.” The small voice alerted the gathered students to Principal Nezu, who smiled up at Izuku from the floor. “Considering that my own High Specs remains unchanged, our elusive hosts of this so-called resort must have a conditional Quirk dampener attuned to our various factors, selectively choosing who might be considered harmless or threats. And if this were truly a trap, this room would serve as the prime location for our demise, if that is truly their intention.”
“... In what way, Sir?” Eijiro Kirishima asked reluctantly as the diminutive authority figure perched himself on the massive frame of one Mezo Shoji.
“This would be the simplest example,” the principal explained. “Once Midoriya-san came in, all of the guests would be subjected to either of these scenarios: the enclosed space could be filled with any variety of toxic gas to snuff us out, or we could asphyxiate as the vents vacuum out all breathable air. And that’s if they wanted us dead relatively quickly.”
The students looked at the sapient rat/bear/whatever in horror. The unease only persisted as Nezu’s smile never faltered.
“Sir, isn’t that a bit morbid for the young ones present?” came the voice of Toshinori Yagi (All Might), who had broken away from the adult group to check on the students.
“The scenario is just to keep them on their toes, All Might,” Nezu waved off. “Though I doubt our mysterious captors would be so bold as to endanger such figures like us.”
“How sure are you of that, Sir?” Mina Ashido piped up.
“I have a few contingencies in place that would make targeting me the absolute last resort. If they’re privy to something as intricate about our Quirk factors, then they know the dangerous game they’ve played by getting me involved,” the principal surmised before he looked at the ceiling. “Isn’t that right, ‘Management’?”
“Greatly ascertained, Mr.Nezu,” announced a new voice that echoed throughout the sterile room. “And thank you, Mr. Midoriya for completing the attendance quota.”
“Wait, I really was the last one here?!” Izuku asked in shock. He chose not to acknowledge Katsuki’s eyeroll.
“Yes, though that was mainly our fault since your sedative dosage was raised to maximum strength,” the mysterious voice confessed.
“SO YOU DID DRUG US, WHOEVER YOU ARE!” roared most of the room.
“Of course, the best sleep I’ve gotten in years had to be from the efforts of a human trafficking ring,” groaned Shota Aizawa (Eraserhead).
“OK, that’s a bit harsh. The reality is more benign than that. We haven’t lied in those notes; you really are at the Coral Grove resort. Unfortunately, my higher-ups were a bit impatient in getting all of you in one place.”
“And what makes you think that you can get away with abducting some of Japan’s most important figures?” growled Enji Todoroki (Endeavor).
“The fact that we did this shortly after your first big heroic act since your promotion to No. 1 is really digging into you, huh?” snarked the host. “With that being said, we ensured all measures to make this two-week sabbatical worthwhile for you all.”
“TWO WEEKS?!” the crowd shouted. The crowd started murmuring again about the logistics of what would happen in their unprecedented absence.
“I know most of you have some concerns, but today was the optimal time for this minor excursion.” This vague answer did little to satisfy the captive audience.
“Just give us the plain answer, stranger!” shouted the distinct voice of Hizashi Yamada (Present Mic).
“... I don’t know why the others bother yelling when you’re here,” the mysterious voice snarked once more. “Fine. This is going to be the last bit of peace you’re in for, as we suspect Japan is due for a reckoning by the still-at-large League of Villains and other groups lying in wait. Despite the mass vigilance, you all need a kind of respite that the HPSC can’t provide, but can be found here. Observe the west wall for the amenities and services you will have access to during your stay.”
The eyes of the crowd shifted towards the wall, which changed from stark white to a screen, broadcasting video clips of the following: a panning shot over several amusement park rides, specialty spa treatments, state-of-the-art gymnasiums, an immersive virtual reality exhibit, arcades with nearly every game imaginable, extraordinary cuisine options, and many other comforts. Despite their situation, the assorted group of heroes, students, and other stripes of civilians felt the sway of these tempting images. The degree was best exemplified by the youngest of the group, Eri and Kota Izumi, being mesmerized by the cool activities offered while their respective guardians, Aizawa and Shino Sosaki (Mandalay), observed with deep-seated skepticism.
“Pardon me, dear Host,” called the voice of Ibara Shiozaki, “but I’m concerned about how your offerings will be properly supervised and appropriately tailored to everyone here. While the idea of pleasure isn’t immoral on its own, hedonism isn’t a path this party should descend.”
“I agree, though probably not as wordy as my classmate put it,” Tsuyu Asui concurred. “The virtual reality thing in particular has me concerned about its use by certain people among us.”
“Leave it to her to take the fun out of everything,” mumbled Minoru Mineta.
“Coral Grove prides itself on providing guests with experiences that meet their heart’s desires,” the Host explained. “What can’t be achieved physically is within the purview of our Imagination Destination attraction.”
“YES!” shouted Mineta and a few other like-minded classmates.
“Of course, we’ve taken into consideration that all experiences are age-appropriate. So, in addition to restricted access to legal recreational drugs, there will be no explicit material for any minors present.”
“Dang it,” the same clique grumbled.
“As promising as these luxuries might be,” Nemuri Kayama (Midnight) led on, “I can’t help but consider that you want something out of us in return. Surely, very few members of this party can afford a stay here, so why treat so many?”
“First, this gathering was determined by a decent proximity and compatibility with Mr. Izuku Midoriya,” the Host answered.
‘It’s like I won the first event of the Sports Festival again,’ Izuku thought as he felt all eyes on him.
“Second, monetary compensation isn’t a factor.” The Host paused for some large sighs of relief. “There is a different price that will be paid in full during your stay, though it might be a little unorthodox by your standards.”
“SPIT IT OUT ALREADY!” came the animalistic shout of Rumi Usagiyama (Mirko).
“Each day before the assigned lunch and dinner times, you will be required to attend an hour and a half mandatory viewing of a serialized drama. Commentary is highly encouraged.”
The preceding silence lasted for thirty seconds before one brave soul decided to speak. “So, we get to enjoy all of this stuff, and you only want us to watch a show a few times?” asked a girl with iridescent, chartreuse hair whose presence seemed alien to the young guest of honor.
“Technically correct, Ms. Hagakure.”
Izuku took a double take as he beheld the truly astonishing appearance of his formerly invisible classmate, Toru Hagakure.
“Yes, Mr. Midoriya, you are in fact the last person in attendance to know.”
“H- How did you know I was wondering about that?” Izuku stammered in shock.
“We know everything; it’s scary sometimes. And it’s for the best that we only divulge information when deemed truly necessary.”
Izuku and All Might winced at that last remark. Katuski tsked. Nezu grew a gleam in his eye.
“And now that the floor has properly mapped you,” the Host continued, “you will be immediately deposited in the theater below to get the first viewing out of the way.”
“WAIT, WHA – ?!” was the last set of words uttered before being replaced by the screams of the captive audience as the floor suddenly vanished, plummeting everyone into free-fall. The terrified crew began to be separated by a series of peculiarly soft tunnels and slid through at strangely high speeds.
– ☲ –
Five minutes later, everyone was miraculously let out of the tunnels, with each landing in an extra-cushioned seat. This didn’t quite get them out of their shaken demeanor, at least not most of them.
“LET’S DO THAT AGAIN!” shouted Eri and Mirio Togota (Lemillion).
“L-let’s not,” moaned Izuku and Tamaki Amajiki (Suneater).
“Don’t worry, that was a one-time entrance,” the Host assured. “You can enter and exit the theater by regular means after this showcase.”
“How are we not puking our guts out?” asked Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu.
“That’s part of the effects of the sedatives and instant nutrition supplements we gave you all before your arrival. Technically, you had your breakfast through that, and it won’t be expelled that way.”
“Good to know,” commented Taishiro Toyomitsu (Fat Gum).
“Could we at least have a brief description of what this show is about?” asked Ryuko Tatsuma (Ryuku).
“Fair enough,” the Host caved. “This story is a Western high school drama, thriller, and mystery all rolled into one. And relax: the material should be tolerable for the young ones in the audience, even for little Ms. Eri.”
“Oh, a foreign story!” Yamada cried out.
“And the title of this series?” Nezu inquired.
“Detentionaire, which alludes to someone, such as the protagonist, who has a reputation for ending up in detention.”
“Well, that’s just great,” groaned Aizawa. “A problem child being the lead. As if these kids needed more reckless role models.”
“Any more questions before we begin?”
“I have one,” called out Denki Kaminari. “Did you mess with the seat placements?”
This suddenly made Izuku aware of his seatmates. To his right, he could see Ochako, Tsuyu, and Toru (still getting used to her appearance). On his left, Kyoka, Momo, and Mina tried not to stare back. In the row in front of him, he could make out Mei’s hair and Melissa Shield, who turned and waved at him. Turning backwards, he could spot the Big Three right in the closest row, Nejire[-chan] Hado seated right behind him. One row back, he could see Eri seated between his homeroom teacher and, oddly, Emi Fukukado (Ms. Joke), each being flanked by the present U.A. staff and other heroes. While he couldn’t spot Denki, Izuku felt an uneasy energy that he assumed came from his usually easygoing classmate.
“Nope. Now on with the show!”