Dying is frightening. Charles couldn't imagine how Sasuke felt.
Watching his grandfather slip into a deep slumber, Charles left his side and lay in bed, contemplating life and all the tragedies that come with it.
How fortunate I am to feel this way about someone.
[We're lucky to have Gramps. He's done nothing but love us,] Danny chimed.
[…He'll be in a better place. No longer suffering,] Tony added.
Out of the three, Charles was closest to Sasuke. As the main pilot of the body, he experienced the little things—moments Danny and Tony could only observe from afar.
Before he knew it, Charles drifted off to the sound of their conversation.
Morning came.
Like usual, he put on his uniform and made his way to class. But today was different. Today, he walked with purpose.
Make Shinso a member.
Danny, I have a plan.
Charles had decided: the perfect way to bring Shinso to his side was through pressure—through understanding.
When he arrived at school, he handed control over to Danny.
From within, Charles watched as Danny spoke casually with Shinso, asking about his day, his plans for the weekend. It was natural. Easy.
Time flew. The lunch bell rang.
Danny, switch with me.
"Shinso, let's meet at the usual lunch spot. Roof in ten?"
"Sure thing!"
Charles left the classroom and made his way down the hall, stopping just outside another class. He waited.
Akuso.
A bulky upperclassman.
The door opened.
In one swift motion—
Crack.
Charles chopped the back of Akuso's neck, dropping him instantly. Catching his body before it hit the floor, Charles activated his strings. They wrapped around Akuso's limbs, lifting him like a puppet.
Clumsy—but effective.
He dragged the unconscious body up to the roof.
Shinso stood near the edge, staring out into the distance.
Charles hid behind the door.
Then—
He pulled.
Akuso's body lurched forward, sprinting unnaturally fast.
"Ah—!"
Before Shinso could react—
THUD.
A heavy fist slammed into his torso, launching him backward into the metal gate. The impact rattled the entire fence.
"Wh—?!"
No pause.
No hesitation.
Akuso surged forward again, his movements jerky but relentless. A barrage of punches followed—wild, heavy, brutal.
Each hit landed with sickening force.
Thud. Crack. Thud.
Shinso staggered, arms barely able to guard.
Spit.
Blood hit the ground.
[Charles. That's enough. Shinso's a good guy—we can stop this here,] Danny urged.
Danny… we need him. If he's going to stand with us, he has to break first.
With a twitch of his finger—
Akuso's leg snapped upward.
BAM.
A kick slammed into Shinso's face, sending him crashing to the ground.
"A—why…?"
Shinso struggled to push himself up, his voice shaking.
Why him?
What had he done?
"WHY ME?!"
No answer.
Only fists.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Shinso collapsed, motionless—breathing, but barely. Pain and anger burned in his chest, but he was powerless to stop it.
Then—
Silence.
Charles stepped out from behind the door.
With a sharp slap, he snapped Akuso awake—just enough.
"Wh—?"
Before Akuso could speak, strings wrapped tightly around his mouth, sealing it shut. His body was pinned against the wall like an insect.
Charles turned and ran to Shinso, kneeling beside him.
"Shinso—are you okay? You're safe now."
"C-Charles…" Shinso coughed, trembling. "Why me? What did I do? Just because my quirk is 'villainous'…?"
His hands clenched.
"If they want a villain… I'll give them a fucking villain."
Slowly, painfully, Shinso stood.
He limped toward Akuso.
"That's right, Shinso," Charles said softly.
He stepped behind him, voice dropping to a whisper.
"Show the world what a villain can do when he's pushed to the edge."
"Akuso."
Charles loosened the strings around Akuso's mouth.
"Wait—I—"
Shinso's eyes darkened.
"I got you."
Akuso froze.
His expression went blank.
Shinso was in control.
Charles released the rest of the strings. They unraveled and dissolved into nothing.
"Jump off the roof," Shinso said coldly.
Akuso turned.
Walked.
Then ran—
And leaped.
The sound of impact echoed far below.
Sirens began to wail.
Students screamed.
Charles placed a hand on Shinso's shoulder, grinning.
"Great job. Let's show the world together how dangerous we can be when we're pushed."
"Wh—"
"Shinso," Charles interrupted, his voice calm but intense. "Join me. Join the Heavenly Demons. Help us reform this world."
He stepped closer.
"Let's change how society sees outcasts like us."
"Who are—?"
"I'm your friend," Charles said. "But I'm also one of the Heavenly Demons."
His smile sharpened.
"We're the ones the world threw away… and forgot."
He extended his hand.
"Join me. I need you."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"We need you."
Sirens grew louder.
Chaos spread below.
"Together," Charles said, "let's show the world what it created."