Chapter Text
“Earlier today, at a neighborhood park in northern Musutafu, the villain known as Red Cobra took several families hostage in an attempt to escape arrest. Statements taken from some of the surviving hostages indicate that the villain killed one of his hostages in anger when the situation wasn’t going the way he wanted. A woman, later identified as Midoriya Inko.
Before the heroes could extract the hostages, a forest seemed to appear out of nowhere. A frenzied monster appeared above the treetops. In its rampage, Red Cobra was killed along with several of the hostages and some bystanders. Even more civilians were recovered with injuries.
Although the heroes were quick to adapt to this new threat, the monster disappeared without a trace, leaving behind the forest that grew with its arrival. Police and volunteer teams are still out combing the area, trying to find the monster or where it may have gone. Law enforcement is asking the public to remain cautious when outdoors. If you see anything strange, report it at--”
Sharp claws clicked on the ground, dulling with every failed pounce at the rats that ran among the city’s trash. The wind rustled the leaves on his spine, giving away his position to his latest target. Frightened squeaks signaled the departure of what he hoped would be dinner tonight.
An annoyed growl rumbled low in his throat as he listened to the rat scurry off.
“--have confirmed 13 individuals were killed in the attack, including the villain Red Cobra. 27 more individuals were injured in varying degrees, including 2 pro heroes. Sunspark has declined to comment, but Avalanche has stated that she doesn’t think the monster was a villain at all. She believes that it wasn’t human at all and that it was some sort of enraged nature spirit.
Footage has since been released of the monster, although it does not provide the clearest of visuals. Recorded on a civilian’s phone, we are able to see the size of the monster where it breaches the treetops. Some have likened its appearance to that of a kaiju. There are mixed reports on whether the monster was green, black, or brown. It does seem reptilian in nature.
Whether you believe it to be a spirit or a kaiju, a monster or a villain, or something else entirely, please keep yourself safe while outdoors. No traces have been picked up yet and police are warning those in Musutafu to stay out of heavily wooded areas. Do not let your children out alone.”
Shifting along the branch, he made his way out to a bird’s nest that he had spotted during the day. Eggs sat inside of it. His prize for his little late-night adventure. He slipped one inside his mouth, closing his jaws around it and swallowing it whole. All 4 eggs went down the same way.
With his tongue wetting his snout, he thought about where to go next. While a delicious treat, 4 little bird eggs were hardly enough to be a full meal for him. The bakery a few blocks from here usually dumped their stale or moldy bread on Fridays if he remembered correctly. And so gliding gently down from the branch, he headed off in the direction of the bakery he frequented.
“It’s been 3 months since what’s been dubbed as the ‘Musutafu Horror’ appeared, killing 13 people and injuring many others. But the creature responsible still hasn’t been found.
The forest that sprouted with its sudden appearance remains in what was once a small neighborhood park. There have been talks about removing the excess plant matter to restore the park, but locals who believe it may have been a nature spirit are arguing against these plans. They fear that destroying the creature’s forest will cause it to return.
Currently, the forest in the park’s previous location, now known as the ‘Kaiju’s Forest,’ has been sectioned off by the police. People are discouraged from entering this forest since little is known about the plants and their unnatural growth. There is also concern that the monster is still inside, hidden from prior search attempts.
Remember, if you see something related to this monster, report it to the non-emergency line at--”
Rain dripped down, dampening the sounds of the night. People hid indoors or were simply muffled by the heavy drops pattering on the pavement. Even the local wildlife sought shelter, hiding in trees or bushes, under awnings or benches. He found himself tucked inside a damp cardboard box with a cat and her 2 kittens. He was thankful for her kindness.
One of the kittens flinched when a raindrop caught the nose they stuck too far out of the opening. Instinctively, he curled his tail in front of the kit, pulling them back into the relative warmth of their flimsy shelter. Mewling protests were cut off when the kit noticed the moss on his scales, soft and chewy. Since it was non-toxic, he let the kit chew on him. It didn’t hurt anyway.
“--one year anniversary of the incident that led to the death of 13 people and the creation of the ‘Kaiju’s Forest.’ At this point, police have determined that the creature will not be found by their typical search attempts. Resources are being rerouted to more pressing cases and the mystery of the ‘Musutafu Horror’ will be declared a cold case.
Should the creature ever reappear, both heroes and police will do their best to prevent the same kind of tragedy from reoccurring. Civilians are asked to stay away from the ‘Kaiju’s Forest’ indefinitely. If the creature is, in fact, a spirit, encroaching on its territory may only anger it.
This weekend, a memorial will be held for those who were lost in this incident, excluding the inciting villain, Red Cobra. Other victims of the Musutafu Horror include Taguchi Norio, Nakada Aoi, Hirata Fumio, Hirata Tobio, Kuramoto Yoshi, Hano Kichiro, Hano Minori, Hano Noboru, Midoriya Izuku, Tanabe Misaki, Chiba Satoshi, and Chiba Kazuki. Midoriya Inko, the woman murdered by Red Cobra, seemingly triggering this incident, will also be remembered.”
A heavy impact echoed in the alley. His leafy spines stood on end as he registered the sound. Silent footsteps followed, heard only due to his enhanced senses. He hunkered down in the pile of garbage bags he’d been rooting through. The vines winding down his neck trembled in fear and anticipation as the newcomer approached his hiding spot. If they found him, he’d run.
Unexpected sounds, a pop and a grating metallic noise, assaulted his ears. The clink of a can being set down on the concrete came shortly after. He peeked out as best as he could without exposing himself. The scent of fish wafted toward him, barely detected over the smell of trash.
“Here, kitty. It’s okay. Pspspspsps .” His ears flattened at the unusual hissing sound that reminded him a bit of the rats he’d chased. “I’ve got some tuna for you.”
Indignation rose in his chest. He was not a cat.
Quiet stretched out between them for several moments. “Okay. I’ll just leave it here.”
With that, the stranger left, taking to the air and landing on the rooftops above. He waited for as long as he felt necessary to be sure that they had left. Then he slipped out of the trash to inspect the can of food. It was tuna and it smelled safe, untampered with. It was the freshest thing he’d had in a while that he hadn’t had to hunt down himself. It was devoured quickly.
He never expected this exchange to become a regular occurrence.
Let alone that they’d become so important to him.