The Final Plunge

The price of freedom is high, it always has been. And it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one, then so be it.

― Steve Rogers, Captain America

For once, Izuku didn't feel nervous as he looked down into the cameras. He was standing atop the stage in the central auditorium, with most of the heroes and police seated or standing along the back walls. The recording equipment was set up to broadcast his message to the families and civilians inside the complex, as well as to later be distributed as a last call for help. He needed to do this, to let everyone know just what exactly they were facing.

"The Paranormal Liberation Army is coming for us," Izuku said, his eyes drifting to the handwritten speech he had on the podium before him. He'd practiced it in front of Mei at least a dozen times. Focus on that, on her, standing beside him as he spoke.

Behind Izuku stood the remains of Class 1A, Togata, Burnin, Pixie Bob, Aizawa, Tsuragamae, Nezu, and Hado. For this broadcast, they'd put on hero costumes and police uniforms instead of the typical more uniform battlegear they'd adopted. Izuku, however, was dressed in the Power Suit, as was Mei.

"The PLF claims that they seek to bring freedom to all, to create a society where all are equal, a utopia where no laws restrict the use of quirks. They say that they will reform a corrupt government, and bring about a golden age."

Izuku grit his teeth, his eyes narrowing in anger. "Well. Let's take a look at what they've done."

Above him on the screen, images of the quirkless concentration camp were projected. Starving, dirty people in tattered rags. Bodies hung from the desecrated UA buildings, children crying over the corpses of their parents. Video of the former Prime Minister being reduced to ashes. A burned out town with bloated corpses in the street, with PLF soldiers posing over the bodies of slain heroes as they were trophy animals. Izuku had to close his eyes as he listened to Mr. Azara beg for his life, before being reduced to bloody chunks. At last, the montage ended.

"Actions speak louder than words," Izuku said. "The PLF isn't here to bring a new dawn, but an endless night. Tomura Shigaraki is no savior: he seeks only death and destruction as their own means, for he is the heir of All For One. He would sooner see Japan destroyed than allow it to escape his grasp."

"This cannot be allowed to happen! We shall stand against Shigaraki and his thugs, and end their threat once and for all! We will restore the peace. There will be hope for the future, a day where children can smile once more, where everyone, regardless of what they were born as, is equal, and can decide their own fate."

"Any who wish to stand with us, join us. We will meet Shigaraki on the field of battle, and we shall destroy him. But it's not me that you should fear, Shigaraki."

Bakugo suddenly slammed down onto the stage beside Izuku from where he'd been hovering just out of the camera's field of view. The air around him was visibly distorted with power, and the Black Whip snaked about his arms. He slowly lifted off the stage, sparks flying from his hands.

"Hey, Chapstick. Did ya miss me?" Bakugo asked, a wicked grin on his face. Izuku muffled a groan. This was not the script they were supposed to be following.

"You think you're strong, do you? What'd you do, steal a bunch of quirks from little kids like the coward you are? Well I got news for you; you're just a thug. An arrogant, puffed up kid who history will be glad to forget the second you're dead. Why? 'Cause you're weak."

Bakugo dropped again, the Black Whips folding back into his arms. "Oh, sure, you got All For One's power. Daddy had to hand that to you, didn't he? Well, I suppose this is the part where I talk about how I got All For One from All Might, how I'm gonna kick your ass, blah blah blah. They wrote me a whole script. Real inspiring. But look. We ain't gonna beat you 'cause I've got more quirks or better ones or whatever. Nah. This is why we're gonna beat you."

"That's me!" a high pitched voice from the audience cried, and Izuku was startled to see Eri jump up onto the stage and into Bakugo's arms.

Bakugo smiled at the little girl, lifting her up onto his shoulder. "See, I ain't stronger than you because I can punch a mountain in half. Um, sorry about that, by the way. No, I'm stronger than you because I learned how to be nice."

"Uncle Katsuki is very nice! He took me flying!" Eri said, giving Bakugo's head a hug and grinning widely. Then she glared at the cameras and pointed a finger. "And he's gonna beat all the bad guys!"

"See, we ain't gonna win just cause we're tougher, or meaner, or some sh-stupid thing like that," Bakugo growled, and Izuku could tell he was struggling to edit his normal speech patterns. Ochako had stepped up beside Bakugo, looking determined as she adjusted her gauntlets. "We're gonna win because we're gonna build a better future. You want to destroy us? You just try, Chapsick. You and daddy have been trying to destroy One For All for what, 100 years now? Well we're still here. But soon, you won't be."

"Long live Japan!" Uraraka cried, raising a fist, and it was soon taken up by others until the chamber echoed with the cry.

Bakugo walked over to Izuku, slapping him on the back and smiling as the shouting continued. "Don't worry, Izuku. We'll do this. Together."

After the broadcast, it was time to leave. They were stripping the bunker practically bare, leaving behind only civilians and heroes who were wounded and restricted to light duty. It was a desperate, final battle: They would not have another better opportunity to hit the PLF as they made their way north into the mountains.

"I almost want to tell you not to go," Inko said, hugging Izuku tightly, her face wet with tears. "But that would be selfish of me, wouldn't it?"

"I'll be alright, mom. I've come back every other time, haven't I?" Izuku asked gently.

Inko touched Izuku's metal hand where it was embracing her. "Not all of you. Just...I love you, Izuku. You're a good man, a great hero. I'm proud of you but...please. Come home?"

"I will," Izuku said, though he couldn't help feel as though it were half a life.

Hari was next, having finished her goodbyes to Togata. She was remaining behind on Togata's insistence, having found out she was pregnant only a few days before. Apparently, it had happened before they were married, but it was still only weeks old and there was little sign yet.

"You keep Mei in one piece out there, ok big guy?" Hari whispered, also giving Izuku a bone crushing hug. She sniffed, wiping at her odd eyes. "God, take care of yourself too. And...and bring Togata back for me. And all the others. Just...you guys have to win, OK?"

"We will," Izuku promised. "I know Mei's looking forward to being an aunt."

"No she's not. She just wants a rugrat to experiment on," Hari laughed. "So I'm not letting that happen." She hugged Izuku again. "Good luck."

Mrs. Hatsume tried to smile and be chipper, but when she hugged Izuku and kissed him on the cheek, she broke down, unable to speak. Her husband grimly shook Izuku's hand, a rifle strapped to his back. He was one of the civilians staying behind to provide one last line of defense, should the worst come to pass.

"I know you can do it, son. We're proud of you. Give 'em hell," he ordered.

"Yes sir," Izuku agreed. "I'll keep Mei safe, and Togata too."

"You do that. Watch out for yourself. Remember a good general doesn't always lead from the front," Mr. Hatsume said gruffly. "Saw that in a movie, once."

"I'm afraid this one does. The Ultra Armor is one of our best weapons, and I'm the only one who can use it," Izuku said, trying to keep his tone light.

"Yeah. Well," Mr. Hatsume hesitated, then pulled Izuku into a bear hug. "Kick their ass, son. And bring my baby girl back, OK?"

"Even if I don't come back, she will," Izuku promised.

Mr. Hatsume nodded, his eyes red. "Yeah. I know."

Nikiwa was crying as he hugged Izuku, snot running down his face. "Hey, it's OK. I beat Re-Destro, remember? We'll beat Shigaraki too," Izuku promised him. Nikiwa could only nod, then had to be taken by his father and comforted.

Komaru looked up at Izuku, his goggles on, frowning. "I should come. I've got a good quirk, and you could give me a set of Power Armor. I can fight."

Izuku hesitated. Someone had told him no, once. He couldn't say yes, n ow he understood why All Might had said he wasn't ready to be a hero. But that wasn't exactly what he wanted to tell Komaru. "I need you to stay here, with your dad. Here." Izuku took out a piece of paper, and quickly scribbled a note on it. "Take that to Hari. Have her help you make some gear. If any of the PLF get past us, it's your job to keep everyone safe. Your mom, your brother, Hari and Eri...you'll have to be the hero, alright?

Though at first Komaru had looked on the verge of rebellion, upon hearing that he was to be a hero, he quickly saluted. "Yes sir! We'll make sure no bad guys are left!"

Izuku gravely returned the salute, and Komaru hurried off to Hari to show her his paper. Eri walked up, looking worried.

"Uncle Izuku? Can I come with you? Not to fight, but, with Mei. I can help. You know I'm really good at it. I could stay with Mei and Recovery Girl, and help hurt people."

That made Izuku start, but then he shook his head. Even in the rear, it was far too dangerous for a seven year old, even one with a quirk as powerful as Eri's. "This is our fall back position, where we'll send the wounded. You'll need to help set up the hospital here, and treat the wounded as we send them back. Ok?"

"Ok! I will do that," Eri agreed. She suddenly looked around, and leaned in to whisper to Izuku, "Thank you for making sure Overhaul is gone. I heard mommy and daddy talking to Princess Sparkles. I feel better now. If you beat him, you can beat anyone." Then she quickly hugged Izuku. "Beat them all up!"

"I will," Izuku promised. "You just fix us up when we get back, OK Eri?"

"OK!" she agreed happily, then walked over to comfort Nikiwa.

Izuku went over to kiss his weeping mother one last time, before she and Mrs. Hatsume embraced one another, still crying. Then he went over to Mei, who had finished her own goodbyes much more quickly and was making some last minute adjustments to the Ultra Armor. She looked up when she saw Izuku approaching, and gave him a vicious grin. "It's installed."

"You got it working?" Izuku asked, somewhat surprised. He walked over to inspect the newest module on the Ultra Armor, a laser like attachment to the right arm, but bulkier and with a bulbous mounting.

"Yep! Eri and Aizawa helped me a little bit, I cultured some of her cells to manufacture the main focusing lense, and then used what I could of Aizawa's reconstructed quirk to control the frequency output.. But be careful! It drains power really, really fast. More than the regular laser, so I had to hook it up to the main reaction plant. But the Nullifier Beam is ready for action!"

"You're amazing, you know that," Izuku said, hugging Mei and kissing her. She pressed herself into him, hard, and the kiss quickly intensified. When they separated, Izuku was breathing hard, and he noticed that Mei had tears in her eyes.

"You have to be OK, Izuku," Mei told him desperately. "You need to be OK. Not like with Chisaki. And our friends...some of them are going to get hurt, or die today, but not you. You have to be alright. You are the most important."

"Mei, I…" Izuku swallowed. "I'll try. But if it comes down to me, or one of the others, I-"

"You are Izuku, and you will try to save them. But try to save me, too. If you don't come back, I do not know what I will do," Mei told him "I can't imagine the world without you, anymore. It's just...empty. Because I love you, more than our babies, more than our friends, even more than my family. I do not know if that is right, but it is true."

"I love you too, Mei," Izuku told her, stroking her cheek. He suddenly frowned, then peered into her eyes. He gasped, then smiled. "Mei! Your eyes! They're turning yellow! And I can see a bit of a crosshair!"

"Yes," Mei said, reaching up to touch her face. "I can see a little bit better now. My eyes are working again, a little. But Izuku, that is not what is important. Do not try to distract me. You have to win today. And you have to come back. Tell me that you will. You never lie to me."

"Mei...I'll do everything I can. But I'm the person everyone is looking to to lead us to victory. That means...well, I'll have to do some dangerous things. If I can just hit Shigaraki with the Nullifier...we'll win. I know we will." He kissed the top of Mei's head, and knew he was crying just as much as his mother had. He'd managed to hold it together, to be strong for them, but for Mei? With Mei, he could never have any secrets.

"I would rather lose everyone but you," Mei told Izuku fiercely. "But I know that if that happened, you would be broken. And I think I would too. So we will just have to save everyone."

"Yeah," Izuku agreed, swallowing. "Everyone."

"Just so you know," Bakugo said, causing his mother to gasp and jump slightly as she spun. Maybe just dropping silently out of the sky hadn't been the best idea. Oh well, served her right anyway. "I do love you. I just...I'm real shit at saying that."

His mother put a hand to her chest, blinking rapidly. "I…"

"Yeah, I know, don't be weak, make sure I kick his ass, blah blah blah, no crying. I got it. Just wanted to tell you that so, you know, the last thing you remember isn't me yelling at you or whatever," Bakugo said, getting ready to lift off again. "Love you too, dad."

"Katsuki!" his mother barked, hurrying over and grabbing Bakugo before he could fly off again.

"What is it now?" Bakugo snapped. "I'm trying to make this easy, dammit!"

And that's when he realized she was crying. Shit, when was the last time she'd done that? Probably when he'd had to tell her he lost his quirk.

"I love you too, son," his mother said, pulling him down and hugging him tightly. "I just...I'm sorry I was such a bad mother, for so long. I...I never wanted anything but the best for you. I guess I was just real shit at showing that too."

Bakugo hesitated, then returned the hug tightly. It was a good thing he'd practiced with Ochako because otherwise he would feel real damn awkward right about now. "Nah. You weren't so bad. I turned out pretty strong, didn't I?"

"Not because of me," his mother said, wiping at her eyes as his father came over to hug him as well. "That Ochako...she's quite the woman. Glad she straightened you out."

"Yeah. She's something else," Bakugo agreed.

"You're a good man, Katskui," his father said. "I'm sorry I wasn't around more. I...I've always felt guilty about that. That I couldn't be more of a man."

"No, you showed me that to be a real man, you gotta be able to be more than just loud and mean, dad. And what it is to be humble. I'm sorry, well, that I wasn't a better son. I should have listened to you more. You're a pretty cool dude, pops."

That made his father tear up and smile. "That...that means a lot, Katsuki. When this is all over...well, maybe we can spend some more time together. And get to know Ochako, a little better. I know you two are um, well, she's good for you. And you're really not a child anymore. Neither is she."

"Wish her parents saw things the same way," Bakugo said with a sigh. He'd briefly said goodbye to the Urarakas, but it was clear they did not approve of him, or more specifically, that he was so openly sleeping with their daughter. Uraraka had always claimed they knew and didn't mind, but that was far from the truth, as it had turned out. They were polite to Bakugo and clearly still loved their daughter, but it was also clear they did not think she was old enough or mature enough to be living with her boyfriend.

They hadn't really talked about it much, but it meant something to Bakugo that Uraraka had clearly chosen him over her own family's wishes and approval. But thinking she wasn't mature enough...Jesus. They did realize she had a bigger body count than even All Might had over his entire career, right? The hell was wrong with them.

He said his last goodbye to his parents, then flew over to Hari, who was sniffing and holding tight to Eri.

"He'll come back," Bakugo said, touching down. "Don't worry about it."

Hari started, looking at Bakugo. Her hand went to her womb, her expression pained. "Thank you, Katsuki. I just...shit. I should be coming with you. Doing...something. You got any more of those crazy awesome quirks you can pull out of your ass?"

"Yeah, couple more, but I ain't got time to learn how to use them just now, and it's sort of a packaged deal. Plus, I think Izuku and Togata would literally kick my ass if I helped you come," Bakugo said with a shrug. He knelt, reaching his hand out to high five Eri. "Plus, someone's gotta watch out for the small fry."

Eri smiled and slapped Bakugo's palm. "I'll fix you up if you get hurt, OK Uncle Katsuki?"

"Damn straight. But listen, you take care of Ochako first, OK? She's tough and all, but I worry about her, see? But if I knew you were looking out for her, I'd feel a lot better."

"Ok. I'll make sure everyone's fixed up when they get hurt," Eri promised. "You just make sure you beat Chapstick, OK?"

"Oh, don't worry about that. Bastards going down," Bakugo promised. He saluted, then lifted off, heading for the rally point, where he found Ochako and Hado conferencing.

"So, we doing this or what?" Bakugo demanded as he floated alongside them. They were both hovering over the column of trucks, watching as heroes and police loaded into them.

"Just waiting for the go ahead from Izuku," Ochako said. She grimaced, reaching into her tool belt and pulling out a roll of dramamine and popping one in her mouth.

"Maybe you should just land and take it easy for a bit. You've really been over using your quirk, I saw you hurl earlier, Hurl," Hado said, then giggled. "No wonder they call you that!"

"Yeah, Hari's got a weird sense of humor sometimes," Uraraka sighed. She reached out, grabbing Bakugo then putting her weight on him. "Release! I'm fine right now, but I suppose I'll take things easy. We've got a busy time ahead."

Bakugo put out an arm to draw Uraraka in. "Pff. You just want another ride. What, this morning wasn't enough for you?"

That made Uraraka blush, and Hado laugh. "Ha! Don't worry, even Amajiki was very enthusiastic last night! Oh! There he is now. I'll go see what's up."

She floated away, and Bakugo looked at Uraraka. "Your folks?"

"We said we love each other, and hugged, and it was all very bittersweet. But relax. They'll come around to you. After all, you're the greatest hero in the world," Uraraka told him, kissing Bakugo on the cheek.

"Not until Chapstick's six feet under," Bakugo said, grimacing. "And even then. I still think Izuku's the better man."

"Well, in that case, maybe I should see if Mei wants to trade," Uraraka teased. She laughed when Bakugo gave her a flat look. "Oh relax. Can you even imagine, me and Izuku? He's just so...awkward. I mean, he's a great hero and all, but I can't imagine him ever working up the courage to ask me out."

"Probably not the time to point out it was you who invited yourself into my room," Bakugo snorted.

"Yeah, well, I don't regret that. I don't think either of us would have gotten through if I hadn't." Uraraka shivered, going faintly green, and for a moment Bakugo thought she was going to vomit again. "I'm going to have a lot more bodies in my nightmares, after today. I just hope...it's bad enough when someone like Tamakawa dies. But when one of us dies…"

"We've buried enough in 1A," Bakugo told her. "Today, everyone lives."

Uraraka managed to smile, and a little bit of the gloom lifted. "Yeah. After all, we're the heroes, right? We've got the power of love and friendship on our side."

Bakugo nodded, which made Uraraka frown. "That's the part where you're supposed to say 'urgh, love, friendship, that's bullshit.'"

"Not today," Bakugo said. "I meant what I said. That's what's gonna get us through this. We're gonna make something together, Uraraka. Not just blow shit up."

"All unit leaders, report in for final briefing," Burnin's voice called over the radio.

"Guess that's us," Bakugo said, and flew down to a low hill at the middle of the column where Izuku was gathering everyone in.

"No more speeches," Izuku sighed, looking down on them from within his suit of armor. "This is it. Shigaraki and the PLF are on the move. Shinso's man confirms it. You know we can't wait for them to come to us, and they'll be here in only a few hours. So we're going to them. We've picked out the place to fight. We'll do whatever we can to win. Any last questions?"

No one said anything, and Izuku nodded. "Then you know what to do. We'll start off with the barrage of Eraser Bombs, then hit them hard and fast. Let's go."

Uraraka hopped off of Bakugo, hurrying to her assigned position. He watched her go, feeling a pang of worry. They'd fight together of course, but...shit.

"Hey. You ready to kick some ass?"

Bakugo turned to see Tetsutestu standing there, his quirk activated and a fierce smile on his face.

"Honestly? Yeah. I want to get this shit over with," Bakugo said.

"I feel you," Tetsutestsu agreed. He banged his fists together, making sparks fly. "Just save some for the rest of us, alright?"

"Yeah," Bakugo agreed, his own grin predatory. His expression relaxed, and he glanced around before stepping closer and lowering his voice. "Hey, mind if I ask you something?"

"Huh? Sure, what is it?" Tetsutetsu replied, his own voice low.

"You believe in this God stuff your girl talks about?" Bakugo demanded.

Tetsutetsu blinked in surprise, but then nodded. "Yeah. I mean, makes sense. I'm enough of a screw up, I get it. Someone had to pay the price. I mean damn, world's screwed up, you and I both know that. Kinda nice, knowing that someday someone will straighten all this out. At first it was just cause I was sweet on Shiozaki and all but...yeah. Gives me something to believe in."

"Yeah." Bakugo looked down at his hand, feeling his myriad quirks pulsing within. "Cause I ain't strong enough."

"Hey, don't say that, man. Of course you are. Hell, I bet you could beat up All Might now," Tetsutestu whispered, gripping Bakugo's shoulder.

"Hmph. Nah. He was the best. Never be another like him," Bakugo said with a shrug. "Besides. That's not what I'm talking about. I mean, I'm weak...I dunno. Morally or some shit."

"Oh. Well, yeah. We're all screw ups like that," Tetsutetsu agreed. "I mean hell, Shiozaki still doesn't like it when I swear and stuff. I try not to, but, I mean, shit. A man's gotta have some way of blowing off steam."

"Hmm. Think God can help me win this?" Bakugo asked.

"I know he will. You're a good man, Katsuki. Even if you're a bastard sometimes," Tetsutetsu told him.

"Well. Then tell him that I'll take his price, if it means that Uraraka and the rest of you live," Bakugo said, lifting off.

"What about you?" Tetsutestu called.

"Be real fucking nice, but it ain't a deal breaker," Bakugo shouted back. "But I don't plan on dying today. Watch yourself, Chromedome. We'll make it out of this."

Bakugo flew off, finding Uraraka after she'd briefed her squad, then picking her up and flying off ahead of the column.

Today, it would end. One For All, against All For One. There would be a victor, and then, there would be peace. Of one kind or another.