The news spread through the Class 1-A dorms like wildfire. Lena was going to I-Island. It wasn't officially announced yet, but whispers travel fast among heroes-in-training. The common room, usually a lively place, felt strangely quiet as students ate breakfast, their eyes constantly drifting towards Lena. She sat with Kyoka, trying to ignore the murmurs, but the weight of their worry pressed down on her. The "Hole" inside her hummed a low, nervous tune, reflecting her own fears.
Tenya Iida was the first to speak to the group, his voice cutting through the hushed tones like a sharp blade. "Classmates! I understand there are rumors circulating regarding Lena Oxton's immediate future! While I cannot confirm specifics, I implore you all to maintain composure and respect Lena's privacy during this sensitive time!" His arms chopped the air in firm, sharp motions, trying to bring order to the swirling emotions.
Mina Ashido, however, couldn't hold back. Her usual bubbly energy was replaced by a worried frown. She bounced over to Lena's table, her pink skin a little paler than usual. "Lena! Is it true?! Are you really going to I-Island?! But… but that's so far! And it's for, like, super complicated Quirks! Are you okay?!" Her voice was high-pitched, full of frantic concern.
Ochaco Uraraka joined her, her kind eyes full of worry. She put a gentle hand on Lena's shoulder. "We're all really worried about you, Lena. What does this mean? Will you be gone for a long time?" Her voice was soft, empathetic.
Lena looked at her friends, a lump forming in her throat. She saw genuine fear in their eyes, but also so much care. "I… I don't know for how long," Lena admitted, her voice quiet. "They think it's the only place that can help me understand… what's happening. And to stop… you know. The glitches." She couldn't bring herself to say "the Hole" out loud.
Eijiro Kirishima walked over, his usual bright grin missing. "Man, that sounds rough, Lena. But if anyone can figure out a way to stabilize a Quirk, it's those eggheads on I-Island! You just gotta stay strong, okay? We'll be here waiting for you!" His voice was firm, trying to offer strength.
Denki Kaminari and Hanta Sero exchanged worried glances. "Dude, that's intense. I-Island," Kaminari mumbled, a bit nervous. "Yeah, like, next-level intense," Sero added, scratching his head.
Tsuyu Asui quietly hopped closer. "Ribbit. We'll miss you, Lena. But if it makes you safer, then it's good, ribbit." Her directness, as always, was comforting in its honesty.
Momo Yaoyorozu approached, her perfect posture a little less rigid than usual, showing her deep concern. "Lena, regardless of the distance, please remember that you have the full support of Class 1-A. We are a unified front. Should you require anything at all, do not hesitate to contact us. We will assist in any capacity." Her words were formal, but her tone was warm and sincere.
Lena felt a mix of overwhelming gratitude and deep sadness. These were her friends. Her family. The thought of leaving them, even for a short time, made the "Hole" twist with a different kind of pain—loneliness.
Principal Nezu sat behind his large desk, looking at Lena with a serious expression. Shota Aizawa stood nearby, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on her. Kyoka was by Lena's side, her hand resting gently on Lena's arm, a silent source of support.
"Young Oxton," Nezu began, his voice calm and clear. "We have received confirmation from Dr. David Shield. He is prepared to accept you on I-Island for specialized Quirk analysis and, hopefully, stabilization. This is a rare opportunity, as Dr. Shield's expertise in unique Quirk energies is unmatched globally."
Lena felt a cold dread spread through her. This was real now. She was actually leaving. "Principal Nezu… Mr. Aizawa… I… I don't want to leave," Lena whispered, her voice barely audible. "My friends are here. This is my home. I want to be a hero here." Her eyes pleaded with them, hoping they would understand.
Aizawa sighed, his voice tired but patient. "Lena, this isn't a punishment. This isn't us giving up on you. It's the opposite. The incident yesterday proved that your Quirk is escalating at a dangerous rate. It's no longer just affecting objects. It's affecting people. And it could get worse. Much worse. I-Island is the only place equipped to safely study and contain a Quirk of this magnitude." He paused, his gaze softening slightly. "It's about keeping you safe. And keeping everyone else safe. It's a temporary measure to give you the tools you need to control this."
Nezu added, his voice gentle. "Indeed. Think of it as a highly specialized, very advanced internship. One designed specifically to help you master an extraordinary power. Your friends will be here when you return. Stronger, and with a deeper understanding of your Quirk, you will be an even greater hero."
Lena looked at Kyoka, who met her gaze with a firm, understanding look. "Lena," Kyoka said softly, "we talked about this. This isn't what any of us wanted, but it's important. For you. For all of us. If anyone can help you, it's him." Her steady voice was like an anchor, pulling Lena back from the edge of panic.
Lena bit her lip, then slowly nodded. The decision was made. The "Hole" inside her felt like a huge weight, pushing her towards this unknown future. "Okay," she said, her voice small but determined. "I'll go."
Winston Oxton watched the holograms of Nezu, Aizawa, and Lena, his heart heavy. He'd just finished the call, confirming Lena's transfer to I-Island. He ran a hand through his hair, looking at David Shield, who stood beside him in the lab, no longer a hologram, but present in person, his face grim but determined. David had flown in quietly to prepare for Lena's arrival.
"She agreed," Winston said, his voice full of worry. "She's scared, David. She doesn't want to leave her friends. She just wants to be a normal student."
David placed a comforting hand on Winston's shoulder. "I understand, Winston. But this is beyond 'normal.' Her Quirk is… it's a fundamental force. The 'entropic singularity' is growing. It could become unstable enough to cause localized temporal collapses, affecting entire cities if left unchecked. Her symptoms are accelerating rapidly. We are fortunate that Nezu understands the gravity of the situation." David's voice was calm, but the seriousness in his eyes was clear. He walked over to a large monitor displaying complex energy patterns. "My research, even with the data Sombra stole, indicated this was a possibility. Her Quirk isn't just about speed or time manipulation; it's about the very stability of moments."
Winston looked at the complex graphs. "The data you got from Sombra's break-in. It helped you understand this, didn't it? Even if she put you in a coma."
"Indeed," David confirmed with a nod. "It provided crucial insights into the unique nature of her Quirk's energy signature, allowing me to develop these theories and potential stabilization methods. It was a painful, but ultimately, informative experience." He paused, looking at Winston. "Now, we must prepare the Temporal Stabilization Chamber. It is the only place capable of safely containing the energy fluctuations we expect. This is an entirely new field of Quirk research."
In her dark, high-tech lab, Moira O'Deorain watched the very moment Lena agreed to go to I-Island through various covert surveillance channels. A thin, satisfied smile touched her lips. "She accepted," she purred, a soft, dangerous sound. "The heroes play right into our hands, attempting to 'stabilize' what they cannot possibly comprehend."
Reaper, observing from a high vantage point overlooking the Japanese coast, spoke into his comms. His voice was a low, gravelly growl. "The transfer is confirmed. She will be on I-Island within forty-eight hours. What's the play, Moira? Sombra can't breach it. Do we wait for her return?" His question was direct, wanting to know the next step.
Moira turned from her main screen, her eyes gleaming with calculated interest. "No direct intervention, Reaper. Sombra is correct; I-Island is a fortress. And her previous attempt proved costly." Her voice held a hint of a reminder of Sombra's failure, but it was purely strategic, not angry. "Our goal is not to take Lena Oxton now. It is to observe what David Shield does. He seeks to stabilize an 'entropic singularity.' His methods, while crude, may inadvertently trigger a far more potent manifestation of her power. He will reveal new layers of her Quirk's true nature."
She then turned to a smaller screen where Sombra's digital avatar shimmered. "Sombra, your task is clear. You cannot penetrate I-Island directly. However, every movement, every resource transfer, every external communication channel linked to I-Island has a digital footprint. Track Lena's travel. Monitor any unusual energy spikes originating from the island once she arrives. Focus on observing the results of David Shield's experiments. We need to learn how he attempts to harness such an anomaly. This knowledge will be invaluable for our own agenda."
Sombra's voice was a mix of her usual sarcasm and a sharp edge of determination. "Understood, Moira. The impenetrable fortress won't stop me from listening at the windows. They'll move her like a VIP, which means traffic. I'll be there, in the digital shadows, waiting for the show."
Lena sat on her bed, packing a small bag for I-Island. Kyoka was helping, quietly folding clothes, her presence a silent comfort. The thought of leaving, of being so far away, still brought tears to Lena's eyes. But the memory of her friends' worried faces, of the glitches spreading, hardened her resolve.
Outside her room, she could hear the soft murmurs of her classmates. They were worried. She knew that. But she also felt their unwavering support, a warm blanket of friendship. Koji Koda had left a small, neatly folded drawing of a blooming flower on her desk, a silent wish for recovery. Mezo Shoji had simply stood by her door for a few minutes earlier, a silent, comforting presence, before moving on. Toru Hagakure had slipped a small, handwritten note under her door earlier: "We'll miss you, Lena! Come back super strong! Don't worry, we'll keep your room safe! <3"
Lena smiled faintly, a tear tracing a path down her cheek. They were her reason. Her family. The "Hole" inside her still thrummed, a reminder of the unknown path ahead. But now, it wasn't just fear. It was also a strange, quiet sense of destiny. She had to do this. For them.