Author's Note:
I received some minor criticism for overly flip slopping on the character's names, sometimes in the same sentence, which is understandable so from now on, I'll keep one character's name the same for the duration of the chapter (Unless two characters share the same last name of course).
Kanagawa Prefecture
"Midoriya, are you four safe?", Todoroki asked over the phone, begging that the green haired boy's group made it out of the crossfire in time.
"Yeah what about you guys? No one saw you?"
"I don't think so. Some of the pros here are helping people evacuate."
"Yeah, we're lucky we got out of there in time before that last shockwave hit. Our rescue totally worked though."
"A rescue?!", Bakugo glared at Deku. "That wasn't no rescue! You guys were just my escape route that's all."
"You're welcome!", Kirishima gave him a thumbs up.
"I needed to get outta there so that All Might could destroy that guy."
"He's right, the only way for All Might to stand a chance against that guy was for us to get out of the way. And Gran Torino can help him out in that fight.", Midoriya pondered to himself. "This is what you would've wanted. Right, All Might?"
Kamino Ward
The scene in front of Ryukyu was one of utter terror, not only did the heroes' attempt at subduing the League of Villains once and for all failed so miserably, but another villain intervened and wiped out her entire squadron, even critically wounding Best Jeanist in the process. But worst of all, All Might, the very Symbol of Peace both her and her brother's generation looked up to, was struggling against this mystery villain. She heard every blow, every bone shattering crunch and debris fly everywhere. The villainess on the ground in front of her stood there, breathing slowly with hollow eyes staring at her, almost as if she was mocking the Dragoon Hero about the bloodbath happening in front of them and her inability to help All Might at all. She couldn't move at all, the rubble was too much for her to lift given her tattered wings and if she transformed back, she could risk burying herself and her fellow allies alive under the rubble. All she could do was watch as the Symbol of Peace was slowly chipped away at one piece at a time.
"You and that utter waste of space, Nana Shimura are very alike, it's no wonder why she would pass that Quirk to you.", All For One sneered at the Symbol of Peace, ignoring the critical blow done to his face. His mask lay in shattered bits and pieces and underneath those pieces was nothing more than a heavily scarred head, lacking all forms of detail aside from the malicious grin the wearer had.
"My master was a true hero. You have no right to speak her name!"
"And yet despite all her bluster, she couldn't uphold the grand ideals that she preached about in the end. It's rather embarrassing, no? Especially since that Quirk of her's was CREATED by me, and yet she went out in such a pathetic way. Perhaps I should tell you all about it?"
"ENOUGH!", All Might screamed as he threw another punch at the man, only to be rebounded back and into a nearby helicopter. Luckily, Gran Torino grabbed him right before he hit it.
"Toshinori. Calm down! You were distracted six years ago when you fought him, and that's the reason he escaped last time and injured you.", he chastised him.
The duo crashed into the ground.
"Don't let him get under your skin. His Quirks and fighting style are much more different than before. You can't beat him head on. It's a battle of wits now! You need to go beyond your limit!"
"I will…"
"It's a nightmare what I'm witnessing", the reporter stated, "In just an instant, half of Kamino Ward has been demolished. And All Might is currently fighting the villain, who appears to be the one responsible for such a gruesome image. I can't believe it, how is he so powerful? He destroyed half a city and he's going toe-to-toe against the Symbol of Peace."
Throughout all of Japan
The entire country looked on in shock, witnessing for the first time in their life, their Symbol of Peace, struggling to defeat a villain.
"This is just terrible."
"All Might looks kind of beat up."
"Woah, I never seen him like this"
"Daddy may not have to work tomorrow hun"
"Really?"
"Why aren't any other heroes helping?"
"These villain attacks are getting insane"
"Either that or the heroes are just slacking off. They're getting soft, but that's the truth"
"It looks bad, sure, but All Might's the best. He'll win in the end right."
Kamino Ward
"This is rather conflicting.", All For One said. "Tomura chipped away at society's trust in heroes, so it's fair I should land the final blow. After all, despite how much you despise me All Might, I think I loathe you more. Sure, your master died at my hands. But you and your so-called 'justice', tore down the very foundation I tried to build in society." His arm began to increase in mass. "That's why I want your last moments to be the most agonizing and then the world will see just how disgraced and broken you are!"
"A big one's coming! Dodge and counter!", Gran Torino ordered.
"Not everyone's so fast!", he sneered aiming his arm at a nearby civilian caught under the rubble. "I will destroy everything you've protected."
With a blast of pure wind, All Might struggled to keep the attack at bay, using much of his energy to ward it off. As the smoke cleared, what remained of the Symbol of Peace was nothing more than a skeletal husk of a man.
"The first thing to be stripped away from you, is your self-respect and ridiculous public image.", All For One sinisterly said, "Show the world just how pitiful you are, 'Symbol of Peace'"
"Wh-what is that? What has he done to him?! Is that what he actually looks like?!", countless thoughts plagued Ryukyu's mind as she saw All Might's 'true' form.
Kanagawa Prefecture
Bakugo's eyes sunk in anguish as he looked on at what he witnessed.
"Is that what he really looks like?! That can't be! All Might is always the winner! He's number one dammit! This can't be happening!"
"Midoriya look", Kirishima pointed at the jumbo-tron in front of them, causing the green haired boy to gasp in horror, as citizens murmured around them.
"He looks like a skeleton"
"What's with him?"
"What's wrong? Is-is everyone seeing this", the reporter's astonished voice spoke, "It's as if All Might's been shrunk somehow!"
"All Might...your secret!", was all the boy could mumble.
On the other side of town, Todoroki, Yaoyorozu, Obihiro, Tatsuma and Takane watched on, unable to keep their horrified eyes off the screen.
"This is the guy my dad failed to surpass and he's struggling against this guy?"
"No...this can't be right, why is All Might losing?"
"He's the number one hero right? The epitome of what a cool hero should look like! And he looks like this!"
"He's the Symbol of Peace. My sister told me that All Might was unstoppable but yet why is this villain such a major threat to him?!"
"It's all my fault, if I hadn't been captured by the League then maybe…"
Kamino Ward
"To think that you're their greatest hero. Now the public knows what you look like. Try not to die from shame alright?"
"Even as my body rots and grows frail. Even if my true form is revealed. I'm still the Symbol of Peace in my heart. There's nothing you can do to stop me!"
"Oh is that so?", All For One tilted his head sarcastically, "I forgot how tenacious or rather, stubborn you truly are. I suppose I should give up. But there is one thing that might pique your interest. Tomura Shigaraki is my apprentice. But you already knew that. However, he's also the grandson of Nana Shimura."
The Symbol of Peace's hollow eyes widened from the last sentence.
"I wondered what could tear you apart from the inside. And so I found Tomura and groomed him to despise you above all else as you smiled at besting your master's descendant."
"Lies…", he uttered.
"Oh come now, that is something I would do. How strange, your smile appears to have vanished. I wonder where it went.", All For One cackled as he mocked his arch nemesis' fallen mentor's smile.
"You bastard…"
"How entertaining, it looks like I took a piece of you after all."
All Might collapsed on his knees and let out an agonizing scream as he realized the horrifying truth.
"Don't lose", a civilian spoke from behind him. "Keep going, All Might! We need you!"
Kanagawa Prefecture
"He's frozen!"
"No way."
"I can't believe it"
"Beat this guy"
"There's no way he could lose right?"
"He's gotten beaten down before and he got back up. He can do it again this time, right?"
"Yeah, even if he looks totally different, he's still the same All Might."
"Come on All Might, you can do it!"
Deku and Bakugo watched as the crowd around them began shouting confident cheers, begging the Symbol of Peace not to give in.
"YOU NEED TO WIN!", the former cried out, on the verge of tears
"BEAT HIM!", latter shouted with intense passion in his heart.
"COME ON ALL MIGHT!", they both screamed.
Kamino Ward
Vibrant energy surged through All Might's body as his arm increased in size.
"Fear not miss", he reassured the civilian behind him, "I'm not done yet."
He faced All For One.
"You're right. A hero has so much to protect in this world. Which is why I will defeat you!"
"There it is. That must be the last ounce of your strength, All Might.", All For One coldly said, levitating high into the air. "A wounded hero is perhaps the most dangerous of all animals. Even now I dream of you charging at me with your entrails strewn on the ground, bleeding from the mouth as the light fades from your eyes. You have two or three punches left in you, right? Perhaps I shou-"
Flames erupted from the side, forcing the villain to fire a blast of air coming at him."
All Might looked over at his savior, only to find a snarling Endeavor.
"You're kidding me. What's with that weak body?!"
"We made it just in time.", Edgeshot breathed a sigh of relief as he appeared from the top of the rubble.
"Interesting...those Nomu weren't strong, but it's impressive you quickly dealt with them", All For One complimented the two heroes. "Just what I expected from the man who fought tooth and nail for 2nd place."
"Dammit All Might!", the Flame Hero growled, "STAND UP AND SHOW THEM WHY YOU'RE THE NUMBER ONE HERO!"
"If you're only here to cheer the fool on, I'd suggest you remain silent and not keep his hopes up.", the villain prepared to attack, only for Edgeshot to attack him from behind.
"Think again madman. We're here to assist"
"That's why we're heroes!", Kamui Woods appeared on the battlefield to lift the rubble off of Ryukyu and drag the unconscious Gang Orca, Mt. Lady and Best Jeanist to safety. "Can you still move Ryukyu?"
"Yes but, argh. My wings, they're torn badly, I won't be able to help much.", she hissed in pain before handing the unconscious Lady Scorpio over to him, "This is one of the villains we were to apprehend, she's the only one that didn't escape in time. That guy...he did something to her."
"I see.", he said, wrapping the two with wood as Ryukyu reverted to normal size. "I'll make sure she's contained." He pulled Mt. Lady over to him as he whispered, "You did your best out here. Let me handle the rest."
"All of you came", All Might shuddered.
"Of course we did", Tiger nodded, carrying the injured civilian and Ragdoll, "We can't do much, but if we can just help a little...then we have fulfilled our duty. You need to stop this embodiment of evil. Pros and citizens alike are cheering for your victory everywhere. Regardless of your appearance, you're still the number one hero!"
"A pointless effort", All For One sneered, firing a blast of pressurized wind, knocking away all of the heroes, save for All Might, who stood his ground with newfound resolve. "Enough with this childish concept of heroism and think more about reality. Springlike limbs. Kinetic Booster times four. Strength enhancer times three. Multiplier. Hypertrophy. Rivets. Air Walk. Spearlike Bones.", he chanted. "The shockwaves were to simply wear you out. In order to end your life, I'll obliterate you with the ultimate combination of Quirks I have stored inside of me right now. This is the end."
The two charged at each other with all of their strength before All For One uttered something sinister.
"Izuku Midoriya"
All Might's eyes widened in shock.
"That child. So he's the one you passed your Quirk on to, isn't he. He came here on his own volition and without your consent, didn't he? Looks like you'll die full of regrets All Might as both a hero and a teacher!"
The duo's punches collide as a massive shockwave bursts throughout the ruins of the city.
"IMPACT RECOIL"
The Symbol of Peace's arm began to spurt out blood from the aftershock of his nemesis' punch.
"You're right as a teacher I failed in preventing him from coming here. Which is why I have to make it up to him."
"So, the weak embers inside of you are desperately trying to fight back against the inevitable, and fulfill your duty. BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH!", All For One declared as he applied more force into his punch.
"I'll defeat you not as a symbol", All Might uttered, "But because until Young Midoriya is ready, I WON'T DIE!".
His arm shrunk in size as his other arm increased in muscle mass, allowing All For One's punch to barely graze his cheek as he knocked away his arm.
"How unlike you to do a clever trick. BUT IT'S USELESS!", the villain sneered as he attempted to punch with his other arm, only to realize that the Symbol of Peace's power transferred back into his other arm.
"That's because I didn't put my back into it that time!", All Might declared as his arm increased in mass as it surged with energy the moment he threw a punch using the last ounce of his strength.
"UNITED STATES OF SMASH!"
With that one blow the entire ground erupted into a great whirlwind of debris. When it cleared all that remained was All Might and All For One.
The entire nation looked on in shock at what they witnessed, worried about the potential fate of their beloved Symbol of Peace until he raised his hand up high in victory as he regained his muscle bound form.
"ALL MIGHT WINS!", the reporter let out a cry of joy, the citizens all cheering in ecstatic vibrance over the survival of the number one hero. "The villain's not moving. He's knocked out! All Might stands victorious!" He's saved us yet again!"
"He shouldn't push himself", Edgeshot said.
"Let him be, he's still working", Gran Torino responded with a small smile, "This is his last job. A final act as the Symbol of Justice and Peace and the number one hero.
Morning
"The heroes began rescue operations during All Might's fight but the scope of the damage is staggering. Authorities are estimating a large number of casualties.", a reporter explained over the morning news. "The villains who caused this destruction are currently being led into the maiden. Meanwhile, All Might and other heroes remain on high alert!"
Suddenly, All Might began to look away from the camera as he pointed at it.
Kanagawa Prefecture
"We can't go anywhere. I wish we could find Todoroki and the others.", Iida lamented.
"Let's just head that way. We should let the heroes know we got Bakugo and Takane in case they're looking for them", Kirishima stated.
"Right."
As the four teens began to head to the directions of the heroes…
"Now."
Midoriya paused in place as he turned to the source of the voice, the jumbotron reporting the incident that occurred earlier last night.
"Now. It's your turn.", All Might uttered to the camera, pointing at yet facing away from.
The crowd around him began to cheer ecstatically as the green haired youth's face stared in awe as tears rolled down his eyes.
Shortly after that climatic battle, the eight teens met up and escorted Bakugo and Takane to the police. Once their task was completed they went home.
Tatsuma Estate
Tatsuma lied in bed, looking up at the ceiling to his room. He prayed that he didn't get in trouble or at the very least, that Ryukyu came home safe. After all that happened, she really deserved a break. He pulled out his phone in vain, just hoping she would call him.
"Ryuko, I hope you're alright. At the very least, just give me a phone call, text me, anything."
He heard the sound of a car pulling up just outside the house. Under the influence of his curiosity, the blonde looked out of the window, only to see a silver car and two people getting out of it. From the driver's seat it was Tatsuya, his sister's 'boyfriend' and from the passenger's seat, a woman emerged, heavily bandaged from the chest and abdomen and her leg in a cast.
"RYUKO!", the boy shouted as he ran downstairs to the front door, flinging it wide open as he ran up to the duo. With a sudden burst of speed he threw himself on to his sister and encapsulated her in a hug.
"Sis! I'm so glad you're safe, I didn't know what happened to you after that fight. I was just so worried that you might've-"
"Get...off", she mumbled.
"Huh?"
"I said get off of me!", Ryukyu suddenly shoved her brother away, her tone came off as angry, something that the younger Tatsuma never usually saw in his older sister. Without any warning she slugged him across the face, causing the boy to fall on the ground.
"Woah calm down!", Tatsuya ran over to her trying to pull her away from her self made carnage.
"What was that for?!", Ryuusuke wiped away the blood off his nose, "Some hello you gave me, sheesh."
Ryukyu on the other hand, balled up her fists as whitish-grey scales sprouted from her skin.
"YOU MORON! DID YOU NOT HEAR ME TELL YOU TO STAY HOME?! OR ARE YOU JUST THAT HARDHEADED?!", she screamed at him. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED I WAS WHEN I SAW OR DID YOU NOT EVEN CARE HOW I FELT?! WHAT IF I WASN'T THERE TO STOP YOU GUYS WHEN YOU DID WHATEVER YOU GUYS DID? WHAT IF YOU DIED? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU KNEW WHAT KIND OF HELL YOU PUT ME THROUGH?!"
She suddenly broke into tears as she collapsed into her brother's arms.
"You can't keep doing this Ryuusuke...you just can't. It's against the law and worst of all, it puts you and your friends at risk. How can I be sure that you're safe if you keep disregarding my orders not to do anything reckless?"
"Ryuko.", the younger Tatsuma thought sadly. "This is the first time I've seen her cry
This is the first time I've actually seen her get all worked up like this. To see her like this, it's almost depressing. She had to be strong for my sake in the wake of mom and dad's death. I was so caught up in my own feelings, that I disregarded how she would feel. Of all the things that would cause her to break, this had to be the straw that did it."
"Sis...I'm sorry.", he said as tears started to fall from his eyes. "I was so caught up with my own problems, I failed to understand yours because of it. Please don't cry...I don't like seeing you like this."
It took the two boys a while to calm down the Dragoon Hero, as she cried her heart out, relieved that her brother was safe.
Kanagawa Prefecture General Hospital
"DAD! DAD!", Sakamata yelled as she ran through the hallway. Just earlier this morning, she saw the devastation of what happened at the Kamino Ward and was told that Gang Orca was hospitalized. She quickly scanned each of the numbers on the doors in a desperate attempt to find her father in at least one of the rooms.
"313, 315, 316, 317, 318!"
Opening the door to room 318, Sakamata was met with the relieved sight of her father inside the bed, his torso wrapped in bandages.
"DAD!", she screamed, running up to her father and hugging him tightly much to his chagrin.
"Ow! Easy there Yuuki, you're hugging a bit too tight!", Gang Orca winced in pain.
"I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU AFTER I SAW ALL OF KAMINO WARD DESTROYED! I KNEW YOU WOULD'VE SURVIVED SINCE YOU'RE THE BEST HERO BUT I WAS AFRAID THAT YOU COULD'VE DIED AND THEN, THEN…"
She gently placed her father down as she started bawling. He gently held his daughter as she cried into his arms, ignoring the tears soaking his clothing.
"There, there", the Killer Whale Hero reassured, "It's alright. I'm still standing, right? I won't let some villain do me in that easily. There's no need to cry."
"B-but", Yuuki started, "I thought you were gonna die and that would mean t-tha-"
"There's no need to worry", he hushed his daughter, "I promise I won't get myself killed from now on."
"You promise?", Yuuki asked through her tears.
"I promise", he smirked, "Now let's get out of here. Hospitals give me the creeps."
Obihiro Textiles
"What the heck were you doing last night that was so important, Shigen?", Jun angrily glared at his son as they were in the midst of stocking textiles.
"We went to some party last night", Shigen lied to his father, rubbing his eyes. "Me and a couple other students were celebrating summer vacation."
"Really now, then how come you look terrible, were you drinking?"
"What? No!", he yawned, "It's just that the party was going on all night and I couldn't get any sleep."
"Let me see your face.", Jun demanded.
"Tch fine.", Shigen turned to his father as the latter checked his son for any signs that he was drinking.
"Hmmmm. You're good. Go take a nap. I'll come get you in an hour."
"Yayyyy, sleep", Shigen yawned as he went upstairs to sleep.
"Kids these days", Jun shook his head after his son left.
Tatsuma Estate, the Next Day
"Hey sis! Did you check the news? They're saying that you probably gonna go up a rank! You're now no. 8!", Ryuusuke ran up to his sister, holding out his phone in front of her face.
"That's not how it works", Ryuko shook her head. "There's a whole process for it in like six months, a whole bunch of polls and what not and..."
Ryuusuke started to doze off, obviously bored from his sister's overly tedious explanation only to be shook awake with a frustrated *ahem* from her.
"Oh! Sorry, what were we talking about again?"
"You're also forgetting that All Might is retiring so there's even more complications.", she shook her head, annoyed at her brother's antics.
"Oh, right…All Might's retiring…", he looked down. "It's a shame really. He's such a great hero , the best even and yet, he's still as fallible as the rest of us. I can't even comprehend how Deku feels about the situation. He practically worships him like a god."
"Maybe you can call him and ask what's going on. A true friend is the one that's considerate of their friends' feelings you know."
"Hm...Maybe you're right sis, I'll give him a call later this afternoon."
Ryuko looked out of the window and saw a black car with two men coming out of it.
"What's your teachers doing out here?", she asked her brother, only to receive a shrug. "You stay here, I'll go check outside."
Ryuko headed downstairs to open the front door, greeted by both Shota Aizawa and the newly retired All Might.
"Oh, Mr. Aizawa, All Might, both of you come inside. What brings you two here?", she asked the two teachers as they followed her inside her house
"I take it you received our letter in regards to U.A. moving our students into dormitories?", Aizawa asked her.
"Ah, that letter", she responded, "I've thought about it and…", she looked away, staring at the befuddled Ryuusuke. "I think it would be unwise to let him partake in living inside the dormitories for the rest of his time at U.A."
"Ryuko what do you mean?", the younger Tatsuma asked in befuddlement.
"This isn't me saying this as the Dragoon Hero, Ryukyu. This is me saying this as his sister, Ryuko Tatsuma. I know that I can't protect him forever, I realized that ever since that battle with that villain. When I saw him take part in rescuing those kids, I was terrified for his safety and yet I couldn't do anything about it."
"You can't blame yourself for that, sis.", Ryuusuke argued. "It's my fault that I went out despite you telling me not to. I was impulsive, rash, I let my emotions act before my mind did. If anyone's to blame it's me."
"So shouldn't the school be put to blame for that as well? Their own negligence and inability to swallow their own pride almost got you killed twice and I wasn't there to protect you from that. My first and foremost concern is your own safety and I want to ensure that you can become a hero, without needlessly putting your own life on the line because your current guardians failed to do so."
"I know what you're saying is true, Ms. Tatsuma.", Aizawa admitted. "But this isn't about U.A.'s pride or anything of that sort. We've believed this is the best course of action considering the circumstances. And we've seen your brother's growth as a student, U.A. wholeheartedly believes that they can make him the best hero he can possibly be."
"I know that's true, but...what if you can't protect him from the dangers of the world before he becomes a hero? What if you're incapable of turning him into the very hero he wants to be?"
"I can assure you that we WILL ensure that Ryuusuke will become more than capable of defending himself from future villain attacks.", All Might stated.
"If that's true, then promise me this", she told the two men, "make sure that my brother doesn't throw his life away as recklessly as he does. I know the concept of self-sacrifice is an important part of what makes someone a hero, but he's the only family I have left. And if he died...I don't think I would be able to live with that on my conscience."
"What's that supposed to mean, Ryuko?", the younger Tatsuma turned to his sister.
"You can return to U.A., if they will ensure your safety at all costs."
"We promise you that will never come to pass, Ryukyu", All Might bowed.
"Ryuusuke", the off duty Dragoon Hero turned to her brother, "I know how much you want to return to U.A. But you must promise me that you'll never throw your life away."
"I...promise. I'll never throw away my life like that. I won't make you worry at all. I'll even call you once a day to tell you how I'm feeling.", the boy said, tears in his eyes, "I won't make you cry ever again."