The ride through devastated Manhattan streets was silent.
Midoriya sat between his classmates in the back of the sleek black vehicle, acutely aware of Bakugo's tense posture and Todoroki's calculating gaze as they both observed their surroundings with practiced vigilance.
Agent Romanoff drove with precise efficiency, navigating around debris and abandoned vehicles with the ease of someone accustomed to disaster zones. Occasionally, her eyes would flick to the rearview mirror, assessing them with a subtlety that didn't escape Midoriya's notice.
"Your injuries need attention," she finally said, breaking the silence. "Especially that shoulder." She nodded toward Bakugo.
"It's fine," Bakugo replied automatically, though the tightness around his eyes betrayed his discomfort.
"We've had worse," Todoroki added quietly, his dual-colored hair partially obscuring his scar as he gazed out the window.
Midoriya recognized the defensive stance his friends were taking—revealing weakness to strangers wasn't something any of them were comfortable with, least of all Bakugo. But diplomacy seemed crucial right now.
"We would appreciate medical attention, if it's available," he said carefully. "But I understand resources might be stretched thin right now."
Romanoff's lips curved in what might have been a smile. "We have resources. And you three earned medical care with what you did out there today."
The acknowledgment of their contribution eased some of the tension in the vehicle. Midoriya felt Bakugo shift slightly beside him, a subtle relaxation of his guard.
"Where exactly are you taking us?" Todoroki asked, his tone polite but direct.
"Stark Tower," Romanoff replied. "Or what's left of it. The upper levels are intact enough for our temporary headquarters, and it's where the rest of the team is gathering."
"The team," Midoriya repeated thoughtfully. "Do you have a name?"
Something flickered across Romanoff's expression—brief but noticeable. "Not officially. We're a... recent collaboration."
The car turned onto a cordoned street where military and emergency personnel created a perimeter around Stark Tower. Romanoff flashed an ID that granted them immediate access through multiple checkpoints.
"Stay close," she instructed as they exited the vehicle in the underground parking garage. "And try not to look threatening. Some of our associates are a bit on edge after today's events."
Bakugo scoffed. "We just helped save this city. Why would they—"
"Because you're three unknown enhanced individuals with significant power levels, and we just survived an alien invasion," Romanoff cut him off matter-of-factly. "Paranoia is standard procedure."
That silenced even Bakugo, though his scowl deepened.
The elevator ride was swift and smooth, though Midoriya noticed it required both a keycard and biometric scan from Romanoff to access the upper floors. Security protocols that rivaled or exceeded U.A.'s—impressive for what appeared to be a corporate building.
When the doors opened, they stepped into a penthouse level that showed signs of recent battle—shattered windows overlooking the city, cracked marble flooring, and scorch marks on various surfaces. But what caught their attention was the group gathered in the central area.
Tony Stark, now dressed in casual clothes that didn't hide the bruising on his face, lounged on a minimally damaged sofa with affected nonchalance. Beside him stood Captain Rogers, still in his battle-worn uniform, his shield propped against a nearby wall. The blonde man with the hammer—Thor, they'd heard him called—stood by the broken windows, gazing out at the city. A slighter man with tousled dark hair sat slightly apart, looking exhausted but alert.
They all turned as Romanoff escorted the three students into the room.
"Our young heroes have arrived," Stark announced, raising a glass containing amber liquid in mock toast. "Relatively intact, I see."
"They need medical attention," Romanoff stated, guiding them further into the room.
Rogers immediately straightened, concern evident. "I'll call in the SHIELD medical team."
"Already on their way," a new voice spoke as the elevator doors opened again. A man in a dark trenchcoat with an eyepatch stepped out, his single eye surveying the three U.A. students with calculating intensity. "Along with a containment team, if necessary."
Midoriya felt Bakugo tense beside him, palms beginning to spark instinctively at the implied threat.
"That won't be necessary, Director," Rogers interjected firmly. "These young men fought alongside us."
"And we don't know a damn thing about them," the eyepatch man countered. "Including how three teenagers with extraordinary abilities appeared in the middle of Manhattan during an alien invasion."
"Actually," the quiet man spoke up, adjusting his glasses, "I'm more curious about why they appeared specifically during the invasion. The timing seems... statistically improbable."
Stark nodded. "Banner's got a point. Interdimensional travel and alien invasions on the same day? That's one hell of a coincidence."
Midoriya glanced at his friends, seeing the same realization dawn on their faces. These people believed them about being from another world. Not just Stark, but all of them.
Todoroki stepped forward slightly, his composure unshaken even in this intimidating gathering. "We don't know why we arrived when we did. We were fighting a villain with a spatial distortion quirk in our world, and then we were here."
"Quirk?" Thor repeated, interest piqued. "You speak of magic?"
"Not magic," Bakugo corrected with impatience. "Quirks. Superpowers. Most people have them where we're from."
That statement drew every eye in the room to them with renewed focus.
"Most people?" Banner echoed, leaning forward. "What percentage, approximately?"
Midoriya answered automatically, falling into the analytical role that came naturally to him. "About 80% of the global population in our world has some form of quirk. They began appearing generations ago, and now they're the norm rather than the exception."
A heavy silence followed this revelation. Midoriya could practically see the implications rippling through the minds of everyone present.
"You're from a world of superhumans," the eyepatch man stated, his tone unreadable.
"We're from a world of people with quirks," Midoriya corrected gently. "Some use them to become heroes, some don't. It's just... part of human evolution where we're from."
"And you three?" Rogers asked. "You're training to be heroes?"
Midoriya nodded, standing straighter with pride despite his exhaustion. "We attend U.A. High School—the top hero academy in Japan. We're second-year students."
"Second year?" Stark repeated incredulously. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen," Todoroki answered simply.
Another weighted silence fell over the room. Midoriya could see the adults processing this—that they'd witnessed three sixteen-year-olds fight an alien army with the skill and power of trained soldiers.
"Let's start with names," Rogers suggested, breaking the tension with practiced diplomatic ease. "I'm Steve Rogers. You've met Tony and Natasha."
"Dr. Bruce Banner," the quiet man introduced himself with a small, cautious smile.
"Thor, Son of Odin, Prince of Asgard," the blonde man declared with considerably more grandeur.
"Nick Fury, Director of SHIELD," the eyepatch man finished, still studying them with unconcealed suspicion.
Midoriya stepped forward, bowing slightly out of ingrained Japanese courtesy. "Midoriya Izuku. This is Todoroki Shoto and Bakugo Katsuki. We're very grateful for your assistance during the battle."
"Our assistance?" Stark chuckled. "That's diplomatic. Greenie here took down at least thirty aliens by my count. Explosion Boy probably has a higher body count than Barton."
"Where is Barton?" Romanoff asked, glancing around.
"Medical," Fury replied. "Unlike some people, he actually goes when he's injured." He gave Stark a pointed look, which was summarily ignored.
"Let's focus," Rogers redirected. "You three were transported here by a villain with... spatial abilities. Do you have any way to contact your world? Anyone who might be looking for you?"
The three students exchanged glances, the reality of their situation settling heavily on their shoulders.
"No," Todoroki answered, his usual stoicism faltering slightly. "Interdimensional travel isn't... common, even with quirks. They might not even know where to look for us."
"We were with the Number One Hero when it happened," Bakugo added, frustration evident. "If anyone could find us, it'd be him. But..."
"But even he might not realize we've been transported to another dimension," Midoriya finished quietly. "We might be on our own."
The admission hung in the air, the full weight of their displacement finally settling over the three students. Midoriya felt a knot forming in his throat as he thought of his mother, who would be frantic with worry. Bakugo's parents, Todoroki's sister—all the people who would have no idea what had happened to them.
To his surprise, it was Thor who broke the silence, his voice gentler than his imposing presence would suggest. "I understand your plight better than most. I too have known what it is to be stranded far from home, in a realm not my own."
"Different universe is a bit more extreme than 'stranded,'" Stark pointed out, though his tone lacked its usual edge. Something in the vulnerability of the three teenagers seemed to have penetrated even his carefully constructed armor of sarcasm.
"So what happens to us now?" Bakugo demanded, his combative nature reasserting itself in the face of uncertainty.
Fury regarded them with his single eye. "That depends. First, we need to determine if you pose any threat to this world."
"Director," Rogers interjected with a warning tone.
"It's a reasonable precaution, Captain," Fury countered smoothly. "We know nothing about their world, their abilities, or the long-term effects of their presence here."
"We just helped save your city," Bakugo snapped, palms crackling with small explosions that had several hands moving toward weapons. "If we wanted to cause problems, we wouldn't have fought those aliens!"
"Kacchan," Midoriya cautioned, placing a restraining hand on his friend's arm. To everyone's surprise, including Midoriya's, Bakugo actually subsided, though his glare remained fixed on Fury.
"We understand your caution," Todoroki addressed Fury directly, his composure a stark contrast to Bakugo's volatility. "In your position, our teachers would act similarly. But we are heroes-in-training. Our goal is to help people, not harm them—in any world."
The diplomatic response seemed to ease some tension in the room. Banner nodded appreciatively while Rogers looked faintly impressed.
"They fought with honor," Thor declared, as if that settled the matter. "And they are but youths. They deserve our protection, not our suspicion."
"I agree with Point Break," Stark chimed in, setting down his glass. "Plus, you've seen what they can do. If we're making a team of extraordinary individuals, these three qualify. Might as well keep them close."
"They're children, Stark," Fury stated flatly.
"Children who helped repel an alien invasion," Romanoff pointed out pragmatically. "And who are now stranded in our world with abilities that would make them targets for numerous organizations if word gets out."
A silent communication seemed to pass between her and Fury—the weight of shared knowledge and experience conveyed in a single look.
"Fine," Fury conceded after a moment. "Temporary custodial oversight granted to the..." he paused, searching for a term, "...response team. But they remain under SHIELD monitoring. Full powers assessment, psychological evaluation, the works."
"As long as they're treated as allies, not subjects," Rogers stipulated firmly.
Fury's expression suggested this was still open to negotiation, but he nodded curtly before turning his attention back to the three students.
"In the meantime, you'll need cover identities. Three Japanese exchange students?" He suggested. "Stark, I assume you can arrange appropriate documentation?"
Tony waved a hand dismissively. "Child's play. Though I draw the line at creating entire academic histories. Unless you want me to fake some college transcripts while I'm at it? MIT, maybe? Though Sparky here strikes me as more of a CalTech type."
"Just enough to prevent immediate questions," Fury instructed, ignoring the sarcasm. "Dr. Banner, I'd like you to oversee the scientific aspects of their situation. If there's a way to send them home, we need to find it."
Banner nodded thoughtfully. "I'll need detailed accounts of the incident that brought them here. And samples to analyze their energy signatures."
"Is this really necessary?" Rogers asked, noting the increasingly overwhelmed expressions on the teenagers' faces—particularly Midoriya, who looked simultaneously fascinated and terrified by the direction of the conversation.
"Yes," Fury stated bluntly, "it is. But," he added, his tone softening marginally, "it can wait until they've had medical attention and rest. Even dimensional travelers need downtime after saving the world."
The concession, small as it was, seemed to surprise everyone in the room, including Fury himself. Perhaps even hardened spymasters weren't immune to the sight of exhausted teenage heroes who had just given everything to save a world not their own.
"I have guest quarters here that survived the redecorating by Loki and company," Stark offered. "Three rooms, medical supplies, food, the works."
"T-That's very generous, Mr. Stark," Midoriya said sincerely, bowing again. "Thank you."
Stark looked momentarily discomfited by the formal gratitude. "Don't mention it. Seriously, don't. I have a reputation to maintain."
As if on cue, the elevator dinged, revealing a medical team in tactical gear. The three U.A. students were whisked away for treatment, the conversation temporarily suspended as more immediate needs took precedence.