Aizawa leaned against his desk, his dark tired eyes scanning over the roster of Class 1-A. The upcoming summer camp loomed over them, and despite the necessary preparations, a nagging concern gnawed at the back of his mind.

His eyes scanned the papers in his hand, again and again, mind never registering the words as he couldn't get himself to focus. Akatani had been plaguing his thoughts for a while now.

The kid had potential, enough to warrant keeping an eye on him. Aizawa sighed, his fingers running absentmindedly over the capture weapon wrapped around his neck.

The recent home visit had left him with unsettling vibes about Akatani's situation. The glimpses into the boy's life had been brief, but he had picked up on an undercurrent of unease. It was enough to get him on edge too. His instincts haven't failed him yet, and so Aizawa couldn't very well ignore them now.

As thoughts of the impending summer camp filled his mind, Aizawa's concern deepened. Akatani wouldn't be joining them, still officially being part of the general education course. The memory of the kid's nightmare during the weekend stayover added weight to his worry. He rubbed his throat instinctively at the reminder, betraying his own discomfort.

Classes would be out for the summer, and the hero course students would be honing their skills in the mountains. But for Akatani, it meant solitude, and Aizawa couldn't shake the feeling that the kid was grappling with more than just academics.

With a resolute nod to himself, Aizawa made a silent decision. He'd check on Akatani once they were back from the summer camp. The boy might not be part of the hero course yet, but he was under Aizawa's watchful eye, and the least he could do was ensure he was okay.

Summer camp preparations continued around him, but Aizawa's thoughts lingered on the student he couldn't bring along.

The responsibility of a teacher extended beyond just the classroom, and Aizawa was determined not to let anyone slip through the cracks, especially not someone who seemed to be facing more troubles than the eye could see.

_______________________________

The dimly lit room hummed with the soft whir of monitors as Axel meticulously decrypted the files Arctic had handed in. Rows of executives, clad in military attire, were seated around a long, polished table, illuminated only by the blue hue emanating from the monitor ahead of them.

General Dragon, sat at the head of the table, his eyes fixed on Axel as he worked, his gaze cold and unnerving.

The atmosphere was tense, the weight of impending revelations hanging heavily in the air. Axel's fingers danced across the keyboard, his eyes focused on the holographic screens that displayed the decrypted information.

Each line of code unveiled a dark narrative of human experimentation, betrayal, and the all-too-familiar transformation of individuals into mindless weapons.

After what felt like an eternity, Axel straightened up, grim severity etched onto his features. He gathered the decrypted files into a sleek black tablet and moved to the opposite end of the room, facing everyone, eyes roaming until they landed on his superior.

"General," Axel began, his voice steady, "we've successfully retrieved and decrypted the files from the League of Villains' laboratory. Our target was found there, just as we suspected." He let that sink in before continuing. "He has not only joined the League but has also been actively working on replicating Project AW."

A murmur of disbelief rumbled through the room as the executives exchanged uneasy glances. General Dragon's steely gaze remained fixed on Axel, urging him to continue.

"The project involves injecting individuals with multiple quirks and subjecting them to the same trials as Arctic. It appears they are attempting to create their own enhanced soldiers who can manifest quirks naturally."

The gravity of Axel's words settled over the room, casting a pall of unease among the gathered military officials. General Dragon's expression remained unreadable, but his silence spoke volumes.

"Sir," one of the executives spoke up, his voice tense, "does this mean the experiments have been successful? Are there others like- like that thing?"

Axel shook his head, face twisting into something contemplative. "From what we've gathered, the experiments haven't been successful yet. The subjects referred to as Nomu, display mindless behavior and have yet to manifest quirks naturally. However, that doesn't mean they won't succeed in the future. The doctor seems to be relentlessly adamant in his pursuit of replicating our project."

It was then that Dragon finally spoke, his voice cutting through the somber air. "This is a severe breach, not only of our security but of our military integrity. Our deserter has betrayed us and is actively working against our interests. We cannot let this continue."

The room fell into a heavy silence as the executives absorbed the gravity of the situation. The betrayal of one of their own, coupled with the potential threat posed by the League's experiments, left an indelible mark on the minds of those present.

"Sir," One of the other executives began uncertainly. "Wouldn't it then be in our best interest to give Arctic a new objective?" The General's eyes narrowed at his words, making the man gulp under the intensity of his stare.

Leveling him with an unreadable look, he spoke slowly. "Arctic has been assigned to infiltrate UA for a reason, taking him out now would only be detrimental at this stage." The executive seemed to back down immediately, folding under the harsh response instantly.

Axel, driven by frustration and months of holding his tongue on the subject, couldn't contain himself any longer. He slammed a gloved hand onto the holographic table, eyes blazing with anger. "But Sir, Executive Tanaka is right! Sending Arctic to UA was unreasonable to begin with! The heroes are growing suspicious. We had a damn home visit the other day, and they're starting to piece things together. Sending such a valuable asset into the lion's den of hero society was a mistake!"

A tense silence filled the room as Dragon's cold gaze bore into Axel. The air seemed to thicken, and Axel felt the weight of his superior's authority pressing down on him. At that moment, fear mingled with frustration, creating a volatile mix.

"Axel," Dragon's voice was a low, controlled growl, "I would do you well not to forget your place."

Axel clenched his jaw, his earlier bravado giving way to a sense of anxiety. He nodded stiffly, acknowledging the thin line he had just walked.

"Integrating Arctic into the real world is essential for his development and effectiveness on missions," Dragon continued, his voice cutting through the room like ice. "We need him to operate seamlessly within society, and UA provides the perfect cover."

Axel scoffed, unable to fully mask his frustration. "Cover? That thing is not meant to interact with society, he's not some spy; he's a living weapon! We don't need him to make friends and attend classes. We need him ready to strike when we give the order. Sending him to UA, under the watchful eyes of heroes, was and still is a massive compromise of our security."

The room seemed to shrink as Dragon leaned forward, his gaze piercing through Axel's façade. "Your concern for Arctic's effectiveness is duly noted, but you must trust my judgment. In the grand scheme of things, letting him interact with the real world will make him a better asset on missions. We also need eyes and ears at the school – ones that won't be immediately viewed with contempt or suspicion."

Axel bit back the urge to retort, sensing that crossing the line further could have dire consequences. Dragon's stern expression left no room for negotiation.

"There's a bigger picture here. Although I do agree that for now, Arctic's objective needs to be recentered." The room fell into a tense silence before Dragon spoke again, his tone softer but still laced with authority. "Perhaps I made an error in contemplating his transfer to the heroics course. That decision was based on the belief that useful information could be gleaned there. Now that our priorities have shifted, maybe it's time to reconsider his position at UA."

Axel's expression softened slightly, the acknowledgment of a misstep on Dragon's part. "And so...?"

Dragon nodded. "We'll pull him out, not instantaneously but soon. For now, our immediate concern is the League of Villains. Arctic's new objective is clear – infiltrate their stronghold and neutralize the threat. That's where our focus should be."

As Axel left the command center, the air remained heavy with unspoken tension. The authority and uncompromising nature of Dragon hung in the air, leaving a lingering sense of anxiety in its wake.

He nodded to himself solemnly, knowing the weight of the mission ahead. The room buzzed with a renewed sense of purpose as the military officials prepared for the impending operation.

There would be no room for failure.

_____________________________

The mission's briefing echoed in Arctic's mind as he stood in the secluded corner of the dimly lit room, surrounded by the cold, sterile surfaces that seemed to reflect his own detachment. The holographic images of the Nomu experiments lingered in his thoughts, a haunting reminder of the twisted path that had led him to this moment.

He'd stood there, hidden by the natural shadows of the room, still as a statue as they discussed his fate.

Idly, he wondered if most of them knew he had been there. If they even cared at all. He might as well have been no better than a discarded piece of furniture, a fly on the wall of this crucial gathering, meant to stand there and blend into nothingness.

He'd perfected the skill long ago, he supposed. Their words ricocheted and bounced off of him as if repelled by an invisible shield. Sliding off of him like liquid down a bottomless hole.

A thing they had called him. Fear and disgust dripped from their every syllable as they spoke and argued. He'd felt Dragon's attention on him then, accessing him for any reaction. Satisfied when he showed none.

Somehow, it had all seemed like some kind of trial. He was being tested, he knew that much. For what purpose was yet to be revealed? The prickles of needles and static in his neck made it impossible for him to deliberate further on the subject.

He watched silently and solemnly as one by one the executives and the Colonel took their leave. Leaving him in the ever-so-heavy company of his General.

"You may approach, Special officer." The Dragon ordered, attention still settled on the monitor ahead of them, projecting tapes and pictures from his earlier mission.

Shifting his eyes away, feeling a tug in his guts, he marched up to the man. Immerging into the light with quiet steps.

"Do you have any concerns on our subject of discussion?" His gaze felt like another trial to be surpassed.

"I do not suffer from such things, Sir." An eerie smile was his only indication that he hadn't failed in some capacity.

"Good, good. And if I were to order your immediate withdrawal from that school?"

Walking on a tightrope. This was exactly so, talking to the Dragon.

"It would be within your rights."

The man only hummed at that, leaning back into his chair, arms crossing over his broad chest. His gaze inexorably zeroed in on his fingers as he taped his index rhythmically against the dark vest of his uniform. "That teacher of yours..." He began instead, changing the subject. "Is he going to be a problem?"

His silence must have lasted longer than intended as the General's eyes narrowed in warning. Looking at him with severity. "Eraserhead seems to believe that I am in need of guidance. I am unsure of the nature of his worries, but I do not think he is suspicious of our mission or of my motives as of yet."

Silence and then-

"You've slipped." Two simple words, and yet they seemed to suck all the oxygen out of the room. "Maybe Axel was right to question your position at UA."

He couldn't get himself to say anything to that. Hollowness filled his chest as if digging into the emptiness that resided there.

"For now, if the information you've provided me with is to be trusted, then the hero courses will soon be going to their annual training camp. You will undergo your new mission objective then. Dismissed"