WON BY SAVING, SAVED BY WINNING

"The war is over! The Paranormal Liberation Front has been taken down thanks to all our Pro-Heroes. The PLF commander, Tomura Shigaraki has been defeated by the up-and-coming hero, Deku. Now, I know you all want a piece of this in-demand hero, but we still haven't had the chance to interview him. Sources say he's still recovering from the injuries he acquired in that final duel we all saw on this viral video taken by our brave reporters on the field. It's been a week since that day and we all wish him a fast recovery… We'll be waiting for you, Deku." - Reporter Eiji Hanawa, Zoju News

Izuku Midoriya

"It's over. I defeated him."

I crumbled to the ground as soon as those words left my lips. Catching my breath and staring up at the bright half-moon, I felt exhausted and relieved all at once.

It's really over. I really defeated him.

I repeated it in my head, not fully believing it yet. Maybe I would never really believe it if only I couldn't see that beside me lies a barely conscious and grotesquely injured Shigaraki; a barely living proof of my victory.

After years of tracking him down and training to make One For All truly mine, I finally managed to defeat him. I finally managed to save the people from his plans of utter destruction.

But what about the people you couldn't save?, a tiny voice whispers at the back of my mind.

No, no, no. I shouldn't think like this. I strained my neck to glance at Shigaraki again, to see an accomplishment, no matter how incomplete or imperfect.

You did your best, Deku.

Be proud.

No matter how much I convince myself though, I can not bring myself to celebrate. I'm fully aware of the fact that I'm not much better than that villain. My green hair is almost completely covered with the red of blood. Aching can be felt everywhere. All the exposed skin of my body (which is a lot) is covered with bruises, cuts, and other serious looking stabs. It's obvious; I'm just running on fumes and adrenaline now.

Surveying around me, I could see that the aftermath of our final battle can be seen not only on our bodies. Everywhere is absolute destruction. Beyond the massive crater that Shigaraki and I are currently in, the city is ruined as far as one can see. Smoke is rising from various spots where buildings have collapsed and fire has ravaged everything in its path. What used to be a city full of skyscrapers is now a flattened wasteland; a war zone. It may have been saved, but no one would be living in this place for the next few years.

If I didn't get so injured, I could probably help with rescue missions and clean-up. I guess I'll just double my effort in the reconstruction later to make up for it.

If only I could have trained more. If only I was stronger… faster…

I should have-

From some distance, the whirring of a news channel's helicopter disturbs my thoughts. Soon, it came into view. Flying above the battleground, it was ready to capture and share everything to the world. The outcome of today's battle. Who won? Can the people finally rest easy? Is the war finally over?

The cameras are here, I thought, so I force myself to stand. Trying my best to look dignified, not miserable and weak which should have been more truthful, I raised my right arm. This should show them. This should assure them. I look up and catch a glimpse of the light glinting from some camera lens poking out the helicopter's side.

I will save people with a-

Forcing the corner of my lips to rise, I tried revealing my teeth. Surprised at how genuine it actually feels, I let go of all my worries and smiled.

"I saved people by winning," I heard my voice whisper. As if recharged by newfound energy and dumbed down by exhaustion I said it again, my voice gaining strength. "It's over. The people are finally saved. I did it. I defeated Shigaraki."

"Yes, nerd! You fucking won…" Boom, boom. "You actually won and saved everyone! And with an ugly ass smile too!" Boom. "All Might must be watching you proudly right now, copycat. Tsk! Can't even come up with your own victory pose." Boom, boom, boom. "What a loser!" a gruff voice sarcastically shouts in between explosions.

From the side, I could see multiple little explosions. In the middle of all those is Kacchan, blasting his way to my position. I turned to him and- Oh no. My sudden movement made me dizzy and my knees started to buckle.

"Smokescreen, you idiot! D'ya really want the cameras to catch you slipping?" Kacchan lands a few feet from my weakened chuckling self. "Oh, yeah. Thanks, Kacchan."

I used the fifth quirk I inherited; En's Smokescreen. Generating large amounts of smoke, I managed to obscure the view and completely hide the happenings on the ground from the cameras above.

"We're on the field. Call me by my hero name, shitty Deku."

I laugh as I let my knees give in. "Sorry, Dynamight."

At the corner of my eye, a flicker of movement stops me from relaxing completely.

Shigaraki struggles to stand and lets out a monstrous growl as he reaches out and touches the ground. When nothing happens, he starts to cry and claw at the dirt.

For a quick second, I could see surprise flash in Kacchan's eyes. "So you used it, huh? Well, good riddance. Now, you! Unmoisturized monster! Stay. Down. And. Give. Up."

Kacchan's boot stomps on Shigaraki's back to keep him down and starts to nonchalantly tie his bloody hands behind his back while scanning my body for injuries. "Tsk. Did you even really win? You look horrible! Still, good job on finishing off this jerkwad."

Weakly, I reply, "I feel like there's a but coming-"

"Damn right you are! You won, but it's against just one villain. Hah! One! I finished more villains than you did, so I win!" he maniacally laughs.

He's himself, so that's good. I laugh lightly at how Kacchan doesn't change, even in the middle of a war. Getting a good look at him, I finally notice how he's actually just as battered as myself. His costume is torn and he's only left with one of his Grenadier Bracers, even though it looks busted. However, the victorious smile on that man's face overshadows all the dirt, grime, and blood on his body.

"You did, Kacchan. Thank you... For helping me save everyone," I managed to mumble just before I lost consciousness.

Katsuki Bakugo

Psh! You actually agreed. It's not a competition, you know? At least this one isn't, shitty Deku.

I scoff and go to do first aid on him after easily restricting the damned Shigaraki's movements.

"You suck, you know that?" I said in a voice softer than I intended. The fuck?

Dropping on my knees, I grabbed the first aid kit that was forcibly added to my costume. Ha! Who would've thought that I would actually use this on you?

"Oy, did you pass out? Psh, what a-" weakling!

I suddenly can't continue my sentence. What is happening?

The energy's being sucked out of my body. I can feel my eyes drooping, my arms and legs losing strength.

Seriously? My body decides to shut down now? But, wait- WAIT! FUCKING HELL! NO! HELL NO! I CAN'T-

Strangely, this feels familiar. Like… Like, when I was in my first year at UA. The school festival. The final battle. The quirk. Mid-

A figure can be seen approaching the two unconscious heroes, traipsing elegantly through Deku's fading smokescreen. Pink fog envelops the mysterious attacker. Notably, it is the same pink fog that is slowly spreading throughout the whole crater as well.

Then, the ground beneath the two defenseless heroes opens up and they fall in.

From the helicopter directly above the crater, the news people watch as the smoke that covers the battle ground dissipates completely.

"It's gone! Good, good," a woman who seems to be the one leading says. "Camera, get a clearer shot of Deku, you hear me? Clear- Not shaky! Is that clear?"

The man she was talking to nods and points his camera downwards. He peeks through the viewfinder then pauses. "Ma'am, he's gone! Deku- and Dynamight, too. They're gone."

"What?! Where did they go? What happened to the heroes?"

An assistant strains his eyes to look at the ground. "That's Shigaraki, right? Why is he alone?"

"Damn it! Boss will take our heads for not getting his victory pose clear enough!"

"That's your worry, Miss? The heroes disappeared!"

"I'm sure it's nothing," the woman says, waving her hand in their face. "Unto more pressing matters, contact editing now! Let's try to salvage this poor excuse of an exclusive…"

**~A/N [05/08/2021]~** Forgive me. I know Bakugo's part is short, but isn't it sweet? Kinda? Anyway, I feel like I need to give a little explanation, so this 'war' happens about 2 years after Midoriya left UA to hunt for Shigaraki. So, that makes the two of them 18, almost 19 years old. Hope it makes sense. Oh, and hmmmm how did Shigaraki become quirkless? Is it temporary or permanent? We'll see~ Next chapter, we meet my Original Characters. I really hope you'll like them! XX