The Digital Traveler
Shadows and Silver Fur
The ceiling of the UA infirmary was a clinical, sterile white that seemed to hum with the low-frequency throb behind Soa’s eyes. Every time they blinked, the afterimage of a dark, purple-black mist flickered across their retinas, followed by the terrifying, vacant stare of the Nomu.
Soa lay motionless under the thin sheets, their body feeling as though it had been disassembled and put back together with rusted parts. The "Berserk" state had taken its toll. Their muscles felt like they had been shredded, and even the simple act of breathing felt heavy. On their wrist, the Digital Nexus device was dark, its metallic casing cool against their skin—a stark contrast to the searing heat it had emitted during the battle.
They stared at their hands, noting the faint, fading bruises where the digital scales had merged too deeply with their physical skin. Soa knew the risks. Their Quirk wasn't just a tool; it was a manifestation of their internal landscape. The monstrous chimera form they had assumed at the USJ was born from a place of deep-seated trauma—a world where they had failed to protect someone, a memory that had been largely erased but left behind a jagged, predatory instinct.
When their emotions spiked—when the fear of loss became greater than their self-control—the "code" of that form became unstable. It was a feedback loop; the more they felt, the more the beast took over, until "Soa Sakihara" was nothing more than a ghost in the machine.
*I can't keep doing this,* Soa thought, their indigo eyes clouded with a rare moment of vulnerability. *If I can't keep my emotions at bay, I’m a danger to the people I’m trying to save. I need a new strategy. Something less... volatile.*
A soft, low chuffing sound pulled them from their thoughts.
Curled up on the floor beside the bed was a creature that didn't belong in the world of heroes. It was a quadruped, covered in shaggy, charcoal-gray and black fur that resembled a hyena’s coat, with a thick, bushy tail and sharp, triangular ears. Its eyes, a piercing yellow, were fixed on the door.
"Rest, Blade," Soa whispered, their voice raspy. "I’m okay."
The Mightyena didn't move. He was a guardian, a silent sentinel pulled from a world of elemental monsters and pocket-sized captures.
The quiet of the infirmary was suddenly shattered by the sound of heavy footsteps and a dozen overlapping voices echoing from the hallway.
"I’m telling you, Iida, we have to be quiet! It’s a hospital wing!"
"And I am telling you, Ashido-kun, that our presence will provide the necessary moral support for Sakihara-kun’s recovery!"
"Can everyone just shut up before I blow the door off?"
The door swung open with a bang, and a swarm of Class 1-A students poured in. Mina, Kirishima, and Kaminari led the charge, followed by a more reserved Midoriya and a stiffly walking Iida. Even Bakugo lurked in the back, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
"Soa-kun! You’re awake!" Mina cried out, her pink skin bright against the white room. She lunged toward the bed, her arms open for a hug.
A low, vibrating growl ripped through the air.
Blade was on his feet in a heartbeat. The Mightyena’s hackles were raised, his upper lip pulled back to reveal impressively sharp canines. He stood between the bed and the group, his body tensed like a coiled spring. The air in the room suddenly felt heavy with the "Intimidate" ability inherent to his species.
The students froze. Mina stopped mid-stride, her hands hovering in the air. Kaminari hid behind Kirishima, and Mineta scrambled to the back of the pack, clutching at Shoji’s cape.
"Whoa! What is that thing?!" Kaminari squeaked. "Is that another transformation?"
"Everyone, stay still," Soa said, sitting up slowly despite the protest of their aching ribs. They reached out a hand, resting it gently on the scruff of Blade’s neck. "Blade, easy. They’re friends. They’re the ones I told you about."
The Mightyena’s growl subsided into a low rumble, though his yellow eyes remained wary. He sniffed the air, his nose twitching as he cataloged the scents of ozone, acid, and sweat. Slowly, he sat back down, though he remained positioned as a physical barrier.
"Sorry about that," Soa said, offering a tired smile to their classmates. "This is Blade. He’s a Mightyena. I... I summoned him right after I woke up. I needed the company, and he’s very protective."
"A Mightyena?" Midoriya’s eyes lit up, his hand instinctively reaching for a phantom notebook. "Wait, I recognize that name from the old archives of the 'Pokémon' digital world! It’s a Dark-type, known for its pack loyalty and keen sense of smell. You actually went there?"
Soa nodded, scratching Blade behind the ears. The wolf-like creature leaned into the touch, his tail giving a single, rhythmic thump against the floor. "I did. It was one of my longer stays. I met Blade during a hiking trip in the Hoenn region. I was twelve, and I had wandered too far into the mountains when a flash storm hit."
The class gathered around, their initial fear replaced by fascination. Even Bakugo seemed to be watching the creature with a strange, grudging respect.
"I found a cave to hide in," Soa continued, their gaze drifting toward the window as the memory took hold. "But I was freezing, and the temperature was dropping fast. I didn't have any fire-types with me at the time. Then, I heard something moving in the back of the cave. I thought it was a wild monster coming to drive me out, but it was Blade. He was just a Poochyena back then—smaller, scruffier."
Blade let out a soft huff, as if confirming the story.
"He didn't attack," Soa said. "He just curled up next to me. He used his body heat to keep me from going into hypothermia. We stayed like that for two days until the storm cleared. When I finally left the cave to find my way back to the nearest town, he followed me. He’s been a part of my contract ever since."
"That’s so manly!" Kirishima wiped a stray tear from his eye. "A bond forged in the wilderness! Can I... can I pet him?"
Soa looked at Blade. "He’s a bit picky. He values strength and sincerity. If you’re honest with him, he’ll know."
Kirishima stepped forward, crouching down to Blade’s level. He extended a hand, palm up, keeping his movements slow and steady. "Hey there, Blade. You did a great job protecting Soa at the USJ. Thanks for looking out for our friend."
Blade leaned forward, his wet nose pressing against Kirishima’s palm. He sniffed deeply, then gave a short, sharp bark of approval, nuzzling into the boy’s hand.
"He likes you, Kirishima," Soa said, feeling a weight lift from their chest.
One by one, the other students approached. Tsuyu was accepted with a calm blink of Blade’s yellow eyes; Uraraka got a playful lick on the hand. Even Iida received a respectful nod after he bowed formally to the "noble beast."
"What about me?" Kaminari asked, reaching out tentatively. "I’m a nice guy, right?"
Blade sniffed Kaminari’s hand, then let out a long, dramatic sneeze, shaking his head as if the smell of electricity was an affront to his senses.
"Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?" Kaminari pouted, while the rest of the class laughed.
"He’s sensitive to static," Soa explained, chuckling. "It tickles his nose."
Mineta, seeing that the creature seemed "safe," decided to make his move. He crept forward, his eyes darting toward the snacks the students had brought for Soa. "Yeah, yeah, cool dog. Now move aside so I can see if there are any of those premium melons in the gift basket."
Blade’s eyes narrowed. The fur on his back didn't just rise; it seemed to darken. As Mineta reached out, Blade didn't bite, but he let out a sound that wasn't a growl—it was a Snarl, a move designed to lower the opponent's spirit. The sheer aura of "Dark-type" energy sent Mineta stumbling backward, tripping over his own feet and landing hard on his backside.
"I think that’s a 'no' for you, Mineta," Jiro remarked, leaning against a nearby bed frame.
Soa watched the interaction, their heart feeling lighter than it had in days. Seeing their digital companion interact with their real-world friends made the two halves of their life feel less like conflicting data files and more like a cohesive story.
"Sakihara-kun," Midoriya said, stepping closer once the excitement had died down. "About what happened at the plaza... you looked like you were in pain. Not just physical pain."
Soa’s hand stilled on Blade’s head. The room went quiet, the levity of the moment shifting back to the gravity of their situation.
"I was," Soa admitted, their voice low. "The forms I take... they aren't just costumes. They’re manifestations of different parts of me. Some of those parts are... older. More damaged. When I lose control of my emotions, those forms become unstable. I stop being the one in control, and the 'data' takes over."
"Is that why you’re always so quiet?" Mina asked softly. "You’re trying to keep the monster inside?"
Soa looked at their scarred arms. "It’s not a monster, exactly. It’s just... intense. I’ve spent so long traveling between worlds, trying to fit in, trying to be what everyone needed me to be. I forgot how to just *be* Soa. My emotions are the bridge, but if the bridge is shaking, the whole structure collapses."
"Then we’ll help you steady it," Kirishima said, punching his palm. "You don't have to carry the 'Berserk' stuff alone. We’re a team, right?"
"He’s right," Iida added, his glasses glinting in the infirmary light. "As your Class Representative, I insist that you rely on us for emotional stability! We shall be your anchors!"
Soa felt a lump in their throat. They had spent their whole life running through digital landscapes, afraid that if they stayed in one place too long, they would simply fade away. But looking at the faces of Class 1-A, they realized that they weren't a glitch anymore. They were part of the source code.
"I think," Soa said, their voice gaining a bit of strength, "I need to change how I fight. Less 'Aspect Shifting' into the big, scary stuff, and more 'Summoning.' Relying on partners like Blade and Sonic. It’s safer. For everyone."
"Whatever works, as long as you don't pass out and make us carry you again," Bakugo grumbled from the door, though his eyes lingered on Soa for a second longer than usual before he turned to leave. "Get better, Shifty. We have training on Monday."
"I will, Bakugo," Soa called out.
As the class eventually filtered out, leaving behind a mountain of snacks and a much-improved atmosphere, Soa lay back against the pillows. Blade hopped up onto the end of the bed, his heavy weight a comforting presence over Soa’s legs.
"We’re staying, Blade," Soa whispered, closing their eyes. "No more world-hopping for a while. I think I like the rules of this reality just fine."
Blade let out a contented sigh, resting his head on his paws. The white ceiling of the infirmary didn't seem so sterile anymore; it looked like a blank page, waiting for the next chapter to be written. And for the first time in a long time, Soa Sakihara wasn't afraid to pick up the pen.