Pacing echoes resounded in the sterile halls of the hospital, worry gnawing at the heart of Echo as she impatiently waited for her friends to conclude their ordeal. She should have arrived sooner, she acknowledged, but circumstances beyond her control had hindered her. An internal struggle played out in her mind, and she admonished herself with a hiss, "Stop doing that." Dragging a hand down her face, she reminded herself that foolishness wouldn't aid her friends.

Relief washed over her as a doctor approached, delivering the news she had been anxiously awaiting. "Your friends are alright, a bit beat up but otherwise fine. You saved them in time. Come on, they want to see you." Echo's smile beamed as she followed the doctor, her anticipation tempered by the sight of Izuku sitting up, bandages covering him.

She despised seeing him hurt.

"Oh, dearest," she muttered, not soft enough for the three boys not to notice. Iida walked over, embracing the queen, his tears wetting her shirt. Echo paid no mind, wrapping her strong arms around the tall boy. "Anytime, speeder," she muttered, kissing the exposed part of his neck, feeling his skin flush under her touch.

Turning to Izuku and Todoroki, both looking guilty, she frowned before using her tail to envelop them in a protective embrace.

"You have nothing to be guilty for, my dearest," she purred and kissed their foreheads, unknowingly sending their hearts racing faster. "I'm just happy you're alright."

"*woof* So am I, even though they were foolish," the four teenagers turned around and saw a hound standing there, his face grave. "Master Hound," Izuku squeaked, bowing his head. Echo didn't. She just glared at the dog. "Watch your tone, mutt! These are my friends you're talking about."

Chief Hound just blinked his brown eyes at the dragon queen before dipping his head. "Your Highness, sorry that I offended you. But they need to take care of their quirks, not demolishing stuff like that." That made Todoroki hiss. "So we should've just let Stain try and kill Iida? I don't know about you, but I wouldn't."

"I wouldn't either," Echo responded calmly. Despite her sharp tone, her eyes betrayed only a tranquil demeanor, and the lone silver earring in her ear gleamed.

Chief Hound sighed. "I'm not suggesting that you should. Just be more cautious moving forward." With that, he turned away, leaving the four of them gazing at the wall. Echo sat down, enveloping herself in her wings. "It's all my fault," she murmured. However, Todoroki joined her, questioning, "How? How is it your fault?"

"I could have prevented Stain from laying a finger on you! I could have eliminated him before he had the chance—" The red and white-haired boy silenced Echo with a hand over her mouth, prompting her to glare at him. "You couldn't have stopped him. You barely knew about him."

Echo sighed, "Okay, okay, my apologies," she mumbled. Todoroki smiled at her tenderly, leaning in to kiss her cheek. The queen blinked, her skin flushing. Unseen by them, the other boys simmered with jealousy. Why does he get to kiss her and not me?

Echo rose to her feet, offering a smile to the boys. "I'll remain here until you're all healed," she declared. With that, she exited the room in search of blankets to cover them, ensuring they could sleep comfortably. As nightfall descended over Japan, she curled up in a corner on the unyielding floor, transforming into her dragon form. She draped a wing over her snout before succumbing to sleep.

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In the League of Villains' hideout, Shigaraki growled quietly under his breath. One of his top henchmen had just been captured, and that treacherous slime had informed him that he wouldn't be handing over the most precious star in the universe. As if that slime could even keep a hold on Echo, Shigaraki thought, scratching his neck.

"Boss, you're scratching yourself again," grunted Kurogiri from the spot where he was washing a few cups.

"Shut it!" the man with baby blue hair barked. "Stain let us down, and Echo is nowhere near being ours! We should've kept her here when Mr. Compress caught her; we shouldn't have let her go!"

Dabi drawled from his position on the couch not far away, "While I did like her to some extent, I believe keeping her away from her precious U.A. friends was a risky move. She might not have been physically strong, but I have a genuine concern that she could have posed a serious threat to us."

Shigaraki growled at the black-haired man, "You could've done a better job seducing her, you burnt nugget," he snarled. Dabi furrowed his brow, "It's not my fault she's not falling for my charms," he scoffed, turning away. Toga whined, "But I'm sad; I wanted a new playmate," she whimpered. Shigaraki rolled his eyes at Toga, knowing she always desired new recruits for reasons like drawing blood or something equally absurd.

"We're fretting over nothing; someday, she'll come back crawling," Kurogiri declared confidently as he settled down, polishing the glass. He reassured Higaraki with a firm pat on the shoulder, "Don't worry, boss."

Shigaraki, however, huffed in response before standing up, stating, "I'm going to bed."

He made his way up to his room, collapsing onto his bed. As he removed the few hands plastered to his body, his mind couldn't help but dwell on Echo's captivating figure. The way he would have kept her under his charm if she had known the extent of what he could offer her.What I wouldn't do to have her in my grasp, he mused dreamily before succumbing to uneasy dreams.

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Rolling her eyes, an echo of disdain reverberating in the room, she awoke to the nexus of daylight streaming across the hospital floor. Nonchalantly, she grunted and yawned, revealing long venomous fangs and a languid pink tongue. A voice disrupted the quietude, "Slept well, snowflake?" Todoriki, a figure of strength and confidence, stood there with a smile that hinted at contentment.

"I did," she snorted dismissively, rising to her feet and transforming into her human form. A head shorter than him, she played the part to cater to his preferences and those of the others who fancied diminutive figures. Smirking to herself, she mused, They're all ensnared by my charms, blissfully unaware.

"Why are you awake? You should be resting to let your wounds heal," she suggested, tracing a finger along his chest. He shuddered at her touch, seizing her wrist with a sudden intensity that caught her off guard. His eyes bore into hers, an intensity that momentarily unnerved her before he released her, a furious blush staining his cheeks.

"I couldn't sleep," he murmured, his vulnerability cutting through the stoic facade.

Echo cast a gentle smile, enveloping the room in a warm aura, as she gracefully embraced the boy. "You could've simply asked to share my slumber, love; I wouldn't have minded," she whispered, planting a tender kiss on his cheek. Stepping back, her wings unfurled, radiating softly in the gentle streams of sunlight pouring into the room. "Now, I'm going to prepare some breakfast for you all. Stay put," she ordered with a gentle authority before strolling away.

Upon her return, Echo carried an armful of delectable fast food, precisely chosen to replenish their energies. Iuzku and Iida, now awake, emitted astonished gasps as she presented each of them with steaming noodle bowls, and Todoroki received a cold soba. "Here you go," she murmured softly, a proud smile gracing her features, her tail swaying happily.
"Thanks, puppy," Deku mumbled appreciatively, to which Echo shook off the nickname with a gracious smile. "Anything for my friends," she reassured them before settling onto one of their beds, reclining gracefully as she gazed upward.

"Angel, are we going back to school today?" Iida asked, setting aside his noodles after finishing them. Echo shrugged, "Sure, if you want. And if your wounds are healed, I wouldn't mind. I would love to see the others," she said with a smile, standing up. "I'm going to transform; come to me when you're ready," she added before walking off.

Outside the hospital, she transformed into her dragon form, a giant creature with stretched wings. The gentle wind against her scales made her feel happy. Though she missed the hidden world, she had friends here now, and she wouldn't be going back anytime soon. These students needed her.

A voice cut abruptly, "Are—" Another interrupted as a purple-haired boy held back a blonde one. "Don't talk to her," he grunted. Echo frowned, "What is it, little indigo?" she asked, testing the waters. "Scared you'll fall?"

The blonde broke free, "I'm Neito Monoma, an honor meeting you, pretty lady," he said with a flirty grin. Echo gave him a sneer, showing her sharp teeth, "You don't classify under a gentleman, Neito." She turned her attention to the purple head, "What's your name?"

The boy sighed, looking tired, "Hitoshi Shinsou," he said. Echo hummed, "I'm Echo," and transformed back into her human form, playfully making the boys blush. "Nice to meet you.""Yeah, yeah," Shinsou muttered, walking away, Neito following with a casual wave. Echo shook her head, "Strange boys."