Chapter 36: One for All

Author's Note: *This is a reupload with a few extra touches. There's an additional detail I wanted to add here, so feel free to find it.

Another fairly short chapter, but I'm happy with how it turned out. In my opinion, this fight is probably the best in the series and I really wanted to do it justice. Combined with the last chapter, this was originally going to be a single 6k word chapter, but I felt like that following up a really long 7k word chapter would've been bad for pacing. I hope you don't mind.

With that though, we're entering the second half of Season 3, and one that I have a few plans for! I'm very excited to continue writing. Enjoy the chapter!

"I wanna help make a world where everyone can smile and live happily together." A young Toshinori Yagi stood on the sidewalk in the middle of winter, speaking to somebody. "But… for that, there needs to be a symbol."

"A symbol?" Nana asked. Toshinori nodded and smiled. "Yeah, a symbol. The reason crime rates keep rising in the country is because the citizens don't have a pillar they can rely on. That's why… I wanna become that pillar."

The young boy's words took Nana by surprise. "So that's why you wanna become a Hero. But really, even though you don't have any Pokemon?"

"That's right," Toshinori said. Nana laughed and smiled. "You said your name was Toshinori Yagi, right?" She asked. "You're pretty crazy, you know that?"

—-

Braviary and Skarmory landed in front of the train station by the big screen where they dropped off the students. Once they determined the coast was clear, Braviary took off to return to the Nomu Hangar and help its trainer.

"Looks like we're out of range from the attack…" Izuku said as they watched the news reports of the fight on the big screen. They were getting worried. They made the right decision to leave and get out of All Might's way… right? All Might would be okay, right?

All for One laughed as All Might began breathing heavily, struggling to maintain his form. "You really do remind me of her." The Villain said. "Nana Shimura."

The very woman who practically raised him. The one who taught him what it meant to be a Hero. The one to who he owed everything. The one who taught him how to smile… hearing All for One say her name, he couldn't bear it.

"Keep my master's name out of your filthy mouth!"

All for One ignored All Might and continued speaking. "She was always pushing her ideals onto others without the strength to back it. As the one partially responsible for One for All, I can tell you she was an embarrassment. Truly a pathetic death. Where should I start-"

"Enough!" All Might ran toward All for One, but in a split second, Mewtwo grabbed the Hero with Psychic and flung him and Lucario into the air with a single Psychic blast. They nearly crashed into a news helicopter when Gran Torino's Hawlucha came in and pulled them away. "S-Sorry, Hawlucha."

Hawlucha brought them back down to the ground where they met up again with Gran Torino. "It's the same as last time. Calm down, Toshinori." The old man said. "He provoked you like this and escaped, then he put that hole in your stomach, remember? Just shut up and don't talk to him!"

"Y-Yes, sir…"

"You can't face him head-on. Use your wits, Toshinori!"

All Might and Lucario stood up and firmly planted their feet in the ground. "Yes, sir."

"This… it's a nightmare." The news reporter said from the helicopter. "That man destroyed half of Kamino Ward and he's holding his own against All Might all on his own!"

Everyone watched anxiously as the battle continued. All the citizens, students, UA teachers, watched in fear knowing what was at stake.

"A-All Might's beat-up…"

"Kamino Ward? What's happening?"

"Where are the other Heroes?!"

"The Villains are getting stronger…"

"The Heroes keep losing to them."

"I… think the Heroes are getting weaker…"

"But it's true, right? All Might takes care of everything in the end."

All for One watched Mewtwo get up and smiled. "See, I'm a bit conflicted here. Tomura is the one who destroyed this society's trust in Heroes. I wonder if it's alright to land the final blow myself." He said. "But know this, All Might. I despise you just as much as you despise me. I may have killed your master, but you took away everything I built, did you not? That's why I'll make sure your death is as slow and painful as I can make it." Mewtwo reached its arms forward and began charging another attack.

"It's coming! You two can't take another hit like that! Evade it!" Hawlucha pulled Gran Torino out of the way as All Might and Lucario got ready to dodge the attack, but then they saw something.

"Evade it? Are you sure?" Al for One taunted. All Might noticed behind them, stuck amongst the rubble, was a woman. If they moved out of the way, it'd hit her directly and kill her for sure! "I'll take away everything you want to protect!"

Mewtwo released the Psystrike, but Lucario stood strong. Using his bare arms, he blocked the attack from hitting the woman, taking it all on his own. All Might stood behind him, helping the Pokemon maintain its footing.

The attack was so powerful, the impact created an explosion… and that was all All Might could take. "First, I'll take away your pride. Show the world your pathetic true self, Symbol of Peace."

Once the smoke had cleared, it was undeniable. All Might had reverted to his weakened state and Lucario could barely stand. Everyone was stunned at the sight. It was clear as day. This was All Might's true form.

"A-All Might… shrunk?! What's going on?!"

Izuku was the most horrified at what they were seeing. Knowing what this meant for All Might… there was no way he could get out of this situation. All Might's secret has been exposed.

"Sunken eyes and bony cheeks. What a sad 'Top Hero' you are! This is your true self, right?!" All for One continued to taunt All Might, but he could see it in their eyes. Even now, Lucario and All Might weren't ready to give in. "I see…" He continued.

All Might stood tall and clenched his fist. "Even if my body wastes away… even if you expose me in this state… our hearts still remain the Symbol of Peace! That is something you can never take away! Not a single piece!"

"Wonderful. I give up. I forgot just how stubborn you are." All for One said. "Oh, but one more thing, and I hope this doesn't bother you too much. Tomura Shigaraki is Nana Shimura's grandson."

In that instant, Lucario realized what the man had said. He turned around to look at his trainer and was horrified at the sight. This man… he was in complete disbelief. The man he had been hunting down, the one responsible for all of this carnage… was the grandson of his master?

"I kept thinking about what in this world you would hate the most. I kept creating situations where you'd get to meet Tomura and you brought him down, right? Without knowing anything, with that winning smile…"

"You're lying…" All Might said, trying to rationalize the thought. All for One shook his head and stretched out his arms. "It's the truth! You know that's exactly the type of thing I'd do!"

He began laughing as All Might collapsed to the ground. All that courage he had just moments ago was all gone, just like that. Lucario tried to get his trainer to stand up, but All Might was too shaken at what he had heard.

"Oh, that's weird, All Might. Where's your smile now?! " All for One began laughing. "This is fun. Maybe I did take a piece, huh?"

All Might sat knelt on the ground in complete horror. "That kid was my master's grandson… What have I done?! What would she say?!" He yelled in agony, much to Lucario's dismay.

But… then something happened. The woman who they had protected from the Psystrike, the one that revealed All Might's true form, reached out to him and began crying. "D-Don't lose… All Might, please… save us!"

Everyone around the country began crying out. "You need to win…" Katsuki whispered.

"This is bad!"

"All Might, no!"

"This can't be real…"

"If you can't win, who's gonna beat that thing!"

"E-Even if he looks different, he's still All Might, right?!"

"You've always managed to do something!"

"You can do it!"

Suddenly, everyone began desperately cheering for the Hero. They wanted, no, needed him to win this. Not just for his sake, but for everyone in Japan! Everyone across the country was relying on him!

Izuku and Katsuki turned to the screen in tears and began screaming.

"Beat him!"

"Come on!"

"All Might!"

All Might smiled and felt a surge of power run through his body. Lucario, feeling the same sensation, smiled back. "Of course, Miss…" All Might said as he and Lucario focused what little bit of One for All they had left into their right arm. "There's too much for me to protect as a Hero, All for One." He said. "That's why… we won't lose!"

They remembered the words of their master. "When you're at your limit, remember…"

"Remember…" Toshinori repeated. "Remember why you clench your fist. Remember where you came from. That will take you just a step beyond your limit!"

Toshinori wanted to make a world where everyone could smile and live together in peace, and All Might, with the help of his team, was going to make that a reality.

Hawlucha and Gran Torino eventually got back up from the blast. They were a bit shaken from the attack, but they could still move. They could tell All Might and Lucario, after blocking attack after attack, were at their limits, but that didn't seem to stop them.

"I will not let you win! Lucario, it's time!" All Might held up his arm, revealing the Mega Bracelet. Lucario smiled and nodded. He pulled out his Mega Stone and the two prepared themselves. "This is the power of the Symbol of Peace! Get ready! Mega Evolution!"

Lucario began glowing in white light before emerging in his Mega form. They were going to give this final battle everything they had.

"So that's the last of your power, All Might?" All for One said as Mewtwo began levitating in the air. "A wounded Hero is the most frightening animal, I'd say. I still see it in my dreams, you coming after me, your guts spilling all over the ground."

Mewtwo got ready to release another Psystrike, but before it could, it was hit by a powerful Fire Blast. Everyone looked to where the attack came from and spotted Endeavor and Charizard standing there. "What the hell!" Endeavor yelled. "What's with that pitiful back, All Might!"

Edgeshot and Venomoth arrived at the scene as well and smiled. "Looks like we made it just in time."

After dealing with the Nomu, Tsukauchi urged the rest of the Heroes to go meet up and aid All Might at the Nomu Hangar. "The detective knew things would turn out like this…" Edgeshot said to himself.

All for One let out a sigh. "Hm, they were all fairly powerful Nomu. To dispose of them so fast… just as expected from the man who climbed to the number two spot!"

Endeavor took a step back and clenched his fist. "All Might…" He said. "I worked so hard to surpass you, but the harder I worked, the more I realized just how far ahead you were. As I looked at your back, you just got further and further away." He stomped his foot on the ground and yelled. "Now, show them why you're so much better!"

All Might nodded as if to thank Endeavor and Edgeshot.

All for One pointed to the two Heroes and scoffed. "Well, if you're just gonna cheer him on, be a good spectator and shut up!" However, before Mewtwo managed to release another attack, Venomoth flew in and used Bug Buzz to stop it.

"Quiet, Villain! We're here to help him!" Edgeshot yelled.

Suddenly, Trevenant and Kamui Woods came from behind them and picked up the passed-out Heroes and residents around the destroyed area. "That is our job!" Kamui yelled before picking up Mt. Lady and holding her close. "You did well, Mt. Lady."

Incineroar and Tiger stood back up and began helping carry the civilians to safety. "All Might, this is all we can do to help. Please, stop that man for us. Everyone is praying for your victory! No matter how you look, you're still everyone's number one Hero!"

Gran Torino nodded and helped the others save more civilians. "Toshinori, you are that pillar, and a pillar should never break. You are the number one Hero." He said to himself. He smiled as he limped over to Hawlucha who had managed to move away some rubble, clearing the way for a few citizens to get to safety. "You can hear them, can't you? Even in this state, everyone is still cheering you on. Those voices… the ones of the people you swore to protect, the ones of those students who aspire to be like you!"

"How annoying." All for One said before snapping his fingers. Instantly, Mewtwo shot a Psystrike at the ground, creating a huge shockwave that pushed all the other Heroes away, save for All Might and Lucario who still stood their ground.

All for One smiled as he held up his arm, revealing his own Mega Bracelet. "Let's not talk about what's in our minds. Let's be real." Light began flowing from the bracelet into Mewtwo as it let out a roar. "This is our power! Mega Mewtwo X! Come forth!"

Everyone watched in horror as the Mewtwo transformed into a much more powerful form in front of their eyes. "Those attacks before were just to tire you out. To kill you for sure, I'll attack you with the most powerful Pokemon ever known to man!"

All Might and Lucario didn't respond. Instead, they just drew their arm back, ready to strike with everything they had. "After our battle, I'm certain of it, All Might. The flames of One for All are no longer in you. All you're using are the embers left after passing that power on, and those flames grow weaker every time you use it."

He smiled as Mewtwo dashed forward with its arm pulled back about to strike. "Izuku Midoriya! That is the boy you passed One for All to, isn't it, All Might?!" All for One yelled. "He came here without you asking! You have no control over him! You will die, full of regrets! You've failed as a teacher!"

Lucario intercepted Mewtwo's punch with his own. The clash was so powerful, those around them could have sworn the space between them had begun to warp, even just for a split second.

However, as strong as Lucario was at that moment, Mewtwo was stronger. He began floating in the air and pushing back on Lucario, the two using their fists to try and push each other back. All Might stood behind Lucario, acting as a wall to help the Pokemon maintain his footing, but it was useless. Even then, it looked like Mewtwo pushed against them effortlessly.

But to the credit of All for One, he was right, or so All Might thought at least. He did fail as a teacher. He failed to control Izuku and in return, the boy risked his life. As a teacher, it was All Might's job to reprimand him! "I have to scold him!" All Might shouted.

All for One nodded. "I see…" He could see it in the Hero's eyes. Even now, he was clinging onto the embers, desperately resisting until his job was done. "How unsightly!" Mewtwo began pushing harder, causing blood to begin spewing from Lucario's arm, a pain which All Might felt himself. "Hang in there! We can't give up yet!"

"You can't give up yet…"

Suddenly, they heard a voice. The voice of their master… but where? Where was it coming from? "If you think you're at your limit, remember…"

Lucario and All Might hadn't given up yet. Even with the immense pain, they were feeling, they stood strong and pushed back as hard as they could. "We're not just living to be a symbol…" All Might said to Lucario. "Until we finish training him, we can't!"

The two slammed their feet into the ground, able to stop Mewtwo from pushing them further as they transferred the power of One for All from one arm into the other. They used their right arm as bait, allowing them to move past Mewtwo's attack. All for One spotted this, but he couldn't command Mewtwo fast enough. "Ack, I miscalculated!"

"I cannot die!" Lucario threw a punch, hitting Mewtwo directly in the face, but it wasn't enough. The Pokemon seemed rather unfazed by the attack and All for One couldn't help but laugh. "Those tricks aren't like you, All Might! But it doesn't matter! That hit was weak!"

Mewtwo got ready to hit a Psystrike again, but out of nowhere, All Might's Stoutland appeared. He had sent it to scout the area, but it had finally returned! Using a Crunch, the Pokemon slammed its teeth into the Psychic-Type's arm, preventing it from using the attack.

Mewtwo tried using its other arm, but before it could even act, Gyarados forced himself out of his Pokeball. At that very same moment, Braviary arrived back from delivering the students and the two Pokemon used Hurricane in unison, creating a blast of wind that prevented the Pokemon from attacking any further.

All Might smiled, and he and Lucario surged One for All back into their broken right arm. "That's because we didn't put our back into it!" Right then and there, they felt the power of All for One's users support them. It was as if all of them were there to cheer them on as well…

"Do your best, Toshinori…" The words of their master rang true, and as they evaded an incoming Psystrike, they found their opportunity to hit him with everything they had!

"Farewell, All for One…" Toshinori said to himself.

"Now, face our ultimate move! The All Mightium Z!" All Might held up his secret weapon, a Z-Ring which held a Z-Crystal with his logo. "Face our Z-Power!"

Lucario and All Might yelled as they threw themselves at Mewtwo, slamming their fists right into his face. They felt the surge of One for All once again in their bodies and shouted, giving it everything they had.

"United… States of… SMASH!"

Together, the two slammed Mewtwo into the ground with such power that a small tornado was created almost instantly after the impact. The blast knocked All for One off of his feet and flying into a wall, knocking away his mask and causing him to go unconscious.

"Farewell, One for All…"

Once the wind had dissipated, all that was left was a giant crater. Inside was All Might, his Pokemon, and the knocked out Mewtwo. All Might, even in his state, raised his arm into the air, his Pokemon roaring in victory.

Everyone cried tears of joy and celebrated. All Might had won! Everyone cheered All Might's name in unison, celebrating his victory.

"He won! All Might wins! The Villain isn't moving! He's standing in victory!" The news reported from the helicopter shouted.

The other pros saw him and were growing worried. "He shouldn't push himself!" Edgeshot said. Gran Torino shook his head as he returned Hawlucha to his Pokeball. "Let him do it. He's doing his job." He crossed his arms and smiled. He knew this was All Might's last job as the number one Hero… the Symbol of Peace.

Once things cleared up, many more Heroes came to the scene and helped with the rescues. Half of Kamino Ward had been destroyed and many still needed help escaping from the rubble.

All for One was being transferred into the special transportation vehicle while a special lock was placed over Mewtwo's Pokeball. All Might spotted one of the news reporters and pointed right at the camera. "Next, it's your turn."

Everyone cheered once more, continuing to celebrate his victory. However, Izuku saw it differently. Instead, he began crying.

To most, that message from All Might served as a warning to all Villains out there. That the Symbol of Peace would remain strong. But to Izuku, the message meant the exact opposite. He was saying that his time as a Hero was up, and now, it was his turn.