Chapter 3: As Above, As Below
"Hmm?" Ochaco hummed in surprise, finally noticing her classmate's new costume. A smile on her face, she slowed down to match his pace, glad to walk together towards the shuttle bus. Izuku greeted her with a polite nod, hands in his pockets, grateful for the company. She playfully nudged his shoulder, amazed he no longer became flustered at the slightest contact, not commenting on the bags under his eyes. Everyone had sleepless nights now and then. "New costume?" She asked, inspecting him up and down.
"This is just a substitute until the school's support company fabricates my redesign." He explained casually, tugging on the tattered yellow cape wrapped loosely around his collar. From bottom to top, he wore his red boots, dull grey pants with stitched orange knee pads, a white compression shirt, and the newest addition: a cape.* It was reminiscent of his days as a vigilante, working tirelessly to apprehend escaped prisoners and villains before the revival of All for One. With a low groan, he rolled his shoulders, the bus now in sight, only to sigh in exasperation. Where was the closest coffee shop?
"Line up according to your I.D. numbers. Fill those seats in an orderly fashion. Please, begin the line here. Hey!" Tenya, blowing loudly into a whistle and waving his hand, chaperoned the class from his spot next to the bus door. None of his classmates were too happy with having to rummage for their cards while already suited up. He was inclined to agree. It was time for a change of pace.
"Let me go handle this. Talk to you later, Uraraka." Izuku sped forward, waving a quick farewell to an adorably giggling Ochacho. He passed by an irritated Katsuki Bakugo who was practically piercing him with a strange look, to which he smiled brightly, confusing him. Within a few seconds, he was standing next to the shuttle doors. With a few taps on the glass, the doors opened, revealing a small staircase leading into the vehicle. "Everyone, it's not that type of bus, so please begin boarding now. You first, Tenya." He ordered his suddenly crestfallen secretary.
"Yes, class president..." He mumbled, barely audible.
Izuku grinned at his antics, watching him trod up the steps and collapse onto the nearest seat, dejected, clearly embarrassed he had forgotten to check the seat arrangements. He was so over the top. The shuttle bus, to accommodate for Mutation Quirks, and giant students, was much larger than the average bus. That fact correlated to a much higher first step, and so, he stayed on the ground and held out his hand to the next person in line, which happened to be Mina. She hesitated, not expecting the help, only to recover in a second.
"My, what a gentleman." She cooed, allowing him to grip her hand, privately enjoying the callous sensation, not surprised at the ease he lifted her.
"Up you go, Ashido." He let go, only after his classmate had a firm grip on the metal railing inside. Mina climbed the steps, peeking at his face, accidentally locking eyes, before hurriedly picking a seat. After a few minutes of helping several others, Izuku was the last to climb the stairs, the door closing behind him with a hiss. He was shocked to see that everyone sat in the same seat as in his timeline. A coincidence? A twist of fate? Regardless, it was a good sign the timeline was following the same path as he remembered.
He plopped down between Rikido Sato and Tsuyu Asui as the bus began to move, spent, and unintentionally met eyes with two of his friends sitting in the back. He raised a hand, maintaining eye contact, and shot a quick wave to Ochaco and Momo. The two waved back simultaneously, the vice president shyly and his first friend excitedly, both imagining he was saying hello to only one. Startled, the two turned to each other with wide eyes as recognition set in, then spun away with bashful, embarrassed blushes, refusing to look at each other. He chuckled, hoping he didn't make things awkward, considering they were sitting next to each other.
"I generally say what's on my mind, Midoriya." Tsuyu started suddenly, although he was not alarmed. His classmates, ever the noisy teenagers, listened closely.
"What is it, Asui?" He asked, laughing mentally, knowing verbatim what she would say next due to his knowledge of the future. Maybe he should bet on the lottery? No, he had to minimize interactions that could potentially give himself away. It was not like lotteries lasted that far into the future, regardless.
"Please, call me Tsuyu." She requested innocently, turning to him with her usual smile.
"Then call me Izuku." He countered instantly, enjoying the slight dilation of her eyes.
"Izuku, your Quirk, it resembles All Might's." Tsuyu told him, straightforward, true to her word. He chuckled, crossing his legs and resting an arm over her headrest comfortably. Mina physically clamped her mouth shut, excitedly shaking her head, golden orbs glancing to see if anyone else witnessed the smooth move. Suave much? Since when was Izuku so mature, and why was she noticing just now?
"I can see why you'd say that Tsuyu, seeing as we both have strength-enhancing Emitter Quirks." He reasoned, waving his other hand as he spoke, seeing scars not yet formed.
"Hold up, Tsuyu." Eijiro Kirishima interrupted from next to the young woman. Those in the cabin turned to him as he raised a finger to explain his point. "All Might doesn't hurt himself like Midoriya, so they're already different in that way. Still, a strength-enhancing Quirk is awesome to showcase! You can do a lot with it! Compared to my Hardening, which is boring to watch." He finished by activating his Quirk, the skin on his left arm crystalizing, clinks and clanks resonating from it. Despite himself, Izuku felt the slightest trace of irritation leak from inside. Red Riot only cared about saving as many lives as possible, no matter what he faced, and until the day he died, he would rush into battle with one singular goal: Protect.
"Kirishima." His voice was unnaturally strong, a stark contrast to his earlier lightheartedness. He'd captured everyone's attention, the bus unnaturally quiet, reacting to his sudden intensity. "In a fight, it's not always about looking cool or flashy. It's about the people behind you, civilians you are protecting, watching your back as you stand against any threat. With your power, you can be their shield when no one else can. So don't beat yourself up so much, yeah?" He finished, the tense atmosphere evaporating as he smiled warmly. Kirishima, with a touched smile, nodded in understanding. His class president's words stirred his heart.
Izuku turned away and tuned out the continuing conversation to stare out the window, a sad smile etched onto his face, covered by his cape, the speech reminding him of his close friend. He absently watched the scenery move, the buildings, trees, and signs. His Kirishima was practically unkillable, the ultimate shield, and someone he could always trust. His charisma and manliness would allow no less. It took All for One himself to finally get rid of the red thorn that was Red Riot on the day he'd escaped to the past. His eyes drifted towards the white clouds and blue sky above. Was his brother in arms watching him from above even though he was sitting next to him right now?
His eyes widened as the bus stopped, catching him off guard. Immediately, his eyes steeled, a rush of memories playing through his mind. To his classmates, he appeared unnaturally solemn. It was time.
"We're here. Look sharp now..." Aizawa drawled out as he stepped out to converse with the renowned Space Hero, Thirteen, in front of the massive domed facility labeled U.S.J. Their teacher stepped to the side, exhausted, as Thirteen continued her explanation concerning the building. Ochacho practically vibrated with excitement being in the same vicinity of her favorite Hero. She was cute and bubbly like that. The rest of his class listened attentively, excited to take the next step in their superhero education as they all shuffled inside. Izuku felt cold inside.
"My Quirk is called Black Hole. I've used it to save countless lives during disasters, and as many of you know, that is my area of expertise." Despite not seeing her facial expressions, it was clear by her tone that she was serious. "However, I carry with me the understanding that my power could easily kill if used irresponsibly. I do not doubt that there are some among you with similar abilities." She eyed the students, hitting the nail on the head. The expressions of his classmates turned grim at the uncomfortable idea, hesitant to admit the truth behind her words. The Pro Hero continued her explanation, building upon her previous statement.
"During Aizawa's fitness exam, you learned about your potential and limits. During All Might's battle training, you experienced the danger you pose to others and surroundings." She spread her arms wide as everyone followed her. "This class will show you how to utilize your Quirks to, instead, save lives. One of the most important facets of being a Hero is to be ready for any disaster, be it a villain or mother nature. I hope you leave here with the understanding that you're able to help people instead of hurting them." She bowed flamboyantly, bending at the waist. "That is all. Thank you for listening." The class clapped and cheered the lengthy introduction and lesson. Izuku found himself disagreeing as he crossed his arms over his chest, not too moved.
Sometimes, to win, you had to get your hands dirty.
His Danger Sense instantly alerted him to the sudden emergence of a black hole hovering downstairs and close to the fountain. The dark purple twist in space expanded slowly until an all too familiar head with blue hair peeked from within it. His heartbeat accelerated as the murky swirl stretched wide enough for several men and women to phase through, streaming out after each other, nefarious grins etched on their faces. His green orbs remained focused on the thin male in black clothes with dismembered hands attached to his body, scratching his neck obsessively. That was when Aizawa finally noticed the threat.
"Huddle up and don't move!" He shouted urgently to his startled and confused students. "Thirteen, protect the students!" He hastily ordered, reaching up to his forehead to pull his yellow goggles down and shield his eyes. Thirteen, despite the devastating power of her Quirk, was not suited for combat. Behind him, Kirishima peered over the edge of the stairs, wondering if the numerous individuals pouring out of the massive breach in space were battle robots. "Don't move. Those are Villains!"
"Villains? No way!" Someone shouted.
"Sensei. Aren't there intruder sensors?" Momo asked with worry, sweat on her brow.
"Yes, of course!" Thirteen replied, hesitant. To the side, Shoto Todoroki cooly analyzed the situation, intelligently deducing the attacker's objective because of the nature of their well-coordinated invasion. A sense of seriousness descended upon the group as the gravity of the situation cemented itself. They were far from campus, the alarms failed, and help was not on the way. Their lives were in danger! Izuku quietly moved to stand next to Tsuyu and Minoru, knawing on his lower lip, fighting the incredible urge to join the fray. One punch, that was all it would take.
"Thirteen! Begin evacuating and try contacting the school. One of these Villains must be jamming the sensors. There's a good chance one of their electric Emmiter types is causing the interference." Their teacher deduced precisely as his experience as a Pro Hero shone through. Still, there was a tightness in his gut as he adjusted his goggles. "Kaminari, try using your Quirk to signal for help." He asked the frightened blonde, who agreed with a shaky voice, afraid. With no more time to talk, he unwrapped his Capture Scarf and jumped down the dozens of steps with a confident leap, engaging the Villains head first, severely outclassing them, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake. Impressive, even for a Pro Hero.
Everyone, including their teacher, was unprepared for Kurogiri to suddenly warp behind the class, blocking the exit, stretched far as a large, swirling mass. Condensing around a metal collar and suit, the eloquent villain explained their group, the League of Villains' ultimate objective. It was to end the life of the current reigning Symbol of Peace: All Might. Eijiro and Katsuki, quick on their feet, attempted to rush the withering villain, exploiting his chatty nature. Despite their initial success, he reformed unharmed and exploded outwards in a dark purple explosion, surrounding most of the class in blinding darkness.
"Begone!" He bellowed, expanding. "Writhe in torment." His words echoed loudly. "Until you breathe your last." With his final words, the darkness consumed Izuku and his classmates, the sound of rushing air deafening as the void grew thicker. He allowed himself to teleport, eyes unblinking, his form unwavering. If the timeline was still accurate, then he had little time to waste. Within a second, he slipped out of a tear in space and found himself plummeting feet first towards the surface of a lake in the Flood Zone. He dove deep down, arms still crossed, resolute, face to face with a Mutant type as he held his breath with a frown.
"There you are!" The villain spoke effortlessly despite being underwater. Was he a shark, anglerfish, eel hybrid? His jaw expanded unnaturally, opening large enough to swallow half his body, showing rows of sharp teeth. Izuku did not react, only glared. "It's nothing personal, kid, but say goodbye-GAH!" His monologue was interrupted when Tsuyu quickly stomped his gills. Ouch! Not wasting a single second, she wrapped her lengthy tongue around him and torpedoed away with a strong kick. Her underwater effectiveness was unmatched, even in the future. Moments later, after surfacing, she released him onto the deck of a decommissioned yacht. He finally unfolded his arms, comically, water dripping down his body and hair.
Izuku scratched his cheek absently as he recalled how proficient Tsuyu was with her tongue, which extended twenty meters, and was incredibly strong. He fought the blush that threatened to creep up his cheeks, taking the time to remove his cape and shirt to wring them dry. A different timeline meant a different Tsuyu. A second later and Minoru found himself slammed against the deck, painfully. He stood up, holding his back, groaning in pain. Old habits die hard.
"Tsuyu, you're a real lifesaver." He thanked his drenched savior as she climbed over the railing, signaling him to crouch the second her toes touched down. It was her preferred position. "Your Quirk is amazing." He complimented her with a small smile.
"We seem to be in trouble here, Izuku." She spoke, momentarily distracted by his shirtless body, sensibly looking to the side to occupy herself. Still, there was a seriousness to the situation. "I think they figured out a way to kill All Might. Otherwise, why would they come here to get beaten?" Izuku nodded, agreeing to her monologue as he dressed. She tilted her head to the side, cutely, a finger on her chin as she spoke her mind. "I wouldn't put it past them. The one guy promised to kill us too, after all. Who says we can even hold out until All Might gets here?"
As she continued, each word instilled more fear into Minoru, unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the possibility of death, shaking in his boots.
"That brat! I'll kill her!" The Villain Tsuyu had pounced on to retrieve him resurfaced angrily, startling Minoru, who clung to his side. He was not alone. Izuku peered over the edge, noticing a dozen Villains surrounding the yacht from underwater, clearly suited for aquatic battle, meaning he was at a slight disadvantage. It would take considerable effort to defeat the group in the Flood Zone in a straightforward clash. What a waste of time, he huffed. If only he could reveal his true power. He turned to his two classmates, green eyes steely.
"We have to fight." He declared.
"How can we possibly fight, you dumbass? These guys might even be tough enough to kill All Might! We don't stand a chance!" Minoru yelled, overreacting. Izuku hummed in thought. He wanted to explain his reasoning as he had in the past. It would only take a few minutes to analyze and deduce several critical details from simple observation and inference. Critical thinking in a pinch was an important skill. The reason they were scattered, had not been attacked, and how their Quirks could potentially work together. Unfortunately, he did not have the luxury of time. A good soldier followed orders and did not question them.
"Listen, Mineta, they got us beat when it comes to numbers and experience, so we have to attack with the element of surprise." He waved at the Villains packed together like a school of fish, waiting impatiently for any action. "They don't know our Quirks, that's why they chose to stay in the water, so we do this fast and hard. Right now, I need your cooperation. Trust me, buddy." He smiled with charm, oozing confidence, acting every bit the leader he was. He leaned over to grab his shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze, staring into his soul. "I'll get us out of this."
"Gurh!" The short teen recoiled, shielding his eyes from the light that was Izuku Midoriya. "What're you like, the main protagonist or something?" He turned away to mumble. Even he understood that if they did not act, then death was a guarantee. Plus Izuku, was kind of, sort of, cool with his unwavering spirit. He was not shaking like he was, despite the bleakness of the situation. From beside him, Tsuyu listened attentively, enraptured. "S-So, what's the plan?"
Izuku nodded, grateful. "Good, now listen..." Within a minute, he'd explained his plan of attack, and all that remained was to carry it out. From his memories, he recalled that the squad leader would destroy the boat with a watery blast from underneath. With a deep breath, One for All began to course through his body. The familiar feeling, despite the severe handicap, brought a nostalgic sense of calmness to him. Like Iron Man without his suit, he felt vulnerable, weak even, without his power flowing through him continuously. "Let's do this!" The commander shouted with a running start, kicking off the railing and launching himself high into the air, his cape fluttering behind in the wind.
"Heh, as soon as he lands," A Villain spoke, their fishy orbs trailing Izuku's soaring form, sharp claws ready, "we'll gut him." A tense silence remained as everyone continued to watch the young teen climb higher.
However, he never landed, and in fact, he never lost altitude. From above, Izuku channeled a vast majority of his power into his arm and cocked it back, lips pursed in concentration. With a roar, he threw a punch, kicking back his leg, his fist slicing the air as he released a massive air cannon towards the surface of the water. Even from the boat, his classmates could feel the power behind the move. A column of intense pressure struck the lake, blasting a cylindrical hole deep into the pool like a cookie cutter. The pocket opened wide enough to see the bed before pinching itself shut at the bottom, ultimately forming a massive whirlpool.
"Wah! We're getting drawn in!" A Villain shouted, attempting to paddle away from the unforgiving current.
"What the hell is this kid!" The shark, angler, eel, thing screamed.
"Tsuyu! Mineta!" Izuku shouted as he began to fall, spurring his team. Tsuyu, with Mineta under her arm, coiled her lengthy tongue around him and jumped, reeling the appendage until she could grab his arm. Minoru cried in distress, or maybe in inferiority, as he popped off the purple balls on his head and tossed his Quirk into the lake, successfully trapping the Villains as they stuck together, already clumped from the watery vortex. Izuku's act of bravery had certainly moved him. With no way to escape, the floating Villains were all launched into the air as the whirlpool finally collapsed on itself. "Hold on tight!" The class president ordered Tsuyu.
Tsuyu promptly wrapped her slender arms around his chest, embracing him from behind as he drew his arm back. With expert precision and control of his Quirk, he launched another empowered thrust, releasing another blast of pressurized air from his fist with a bang. The air cannon struck true, impacting the enemy, the force launching them directly into the empty boat. Glued together because of Pop Off, the Villains crashed into the ship with a loud blast, destroying it, scattering debris around the lake as they shouted collectively. Tit for tat, Izuku thought, hair flickering in the wind, pushed back in the opposite direction of the punch. Thank you, Newton.
Flying through the air, he turned around to hug the Frog Quirk user close to his chest and held Minoru with his fingers moments before impact. They crashed near the edge of the Flood Zone with an unceremonious splash, once again soaked. He did not outwardly show concern for his classmates as his eyes focused solely on the plaza, releasing the two from his protective hold. He could practically smell his nemesis in the distance, his heartbeat once again skyrocketing as traumatic memories flashed in his mind. Anger filled his core. "Tsuyu, Mineta, I need you to follow the shoreline, avoid the plaza, and call for help." He ordered cooly, moving to stand on the sand.
"And what about you, Izuku, because Aizawa sensei is drawing a large number of them to the square," Tsuyu questioned, a tightness in her stomach. Behind her, Minoru wondered if he was stupid, understanding what he was trying to do. Izuku smiled and crouched on one knee, stretching to stroke the young teen on her head soothingly as she stared worryingly. To them, it must seem he was marching towards certain death. He was inclined to agree. One way or another, there would be death, of that he was sure. "There's too many of them. You'll only get in the way." She told him, cutting his musing, hoping to make him see reason.
Izuku knew what it was like to lose. He had poured his soul into a great many things, only to fail nonetheless. Each failure represented a loss of life, of land, of resources. As he looked at Tsuyu, so young and innocent, he remembered all the hardships she would see, the death, and he felt sorrow and remorse. He would take the memories of his past to the grave and shoulder the responsibility of creating a better future himself. No one close to him, no one he loved, had to suffer any more than necessary. The most difficult choices required the strongest wills.
He would not lose today.
"Get to safety, and make sure no one sees you, Tsuyu." He turned towards the quivering Minoru, refusing to meet his gaze. "Mineta, I'm counting on you." The young Hero gave a mock salute, eyes misty, shivering. He nodded. "Good. Now, get going, and good luck." With a small thumb up, he turned around to speed towards their teacher amid battle, leaving behind two extremely worried classmates to watch his yellow cape. Begrudgingly, they began to swiftly move along the makeshift beach towards the exit, bypassing the enclosed Windstorm/Downpour Zone, hoping to find help.
Adrenaline pumping through his veins, Izuku rocketed towards the battle, arriving seconds before Aizawa could elbow the ringleader in the solar plexus. Thankfully, due to accelerating his escape from the Flood Zone, he had time to intervene. With an enhanced dash and leap, he aimed a punch at the unaware Shigaraki, fully intending to separate his head from shoulder. His sensei watched, shocked, as he moved faster than anyone could react, his eyes leaving a trail of green. He held his breath, teeth clenched, thinking this was it. From his peripherals, the target's red orbs managed to catch him too late. Time to die, Shigaraki!
Danger sense blaring in his ears, Izuku stopped inches away from the frozen apprentice of All for One, forced to duck and dodge a retaliatory punch from the hulking mass of muscle beside him.
"That was close," Shigaraki admitted, his guardian shifting to stand in front of him, protectively. A single droplet of sweat rolled down the side of his face, curving around his eyebrow, dripping off his chin. Was he scared? No, that was impossible. He had merely imagined the intense feeling of death, the massive fist barreling towards him, the sound of a cannon firing, and the wind rushing past.** "Allow me to introduce the Anti-Symbol of Peace, the bio-engineered: Nomu."
Izuku hopped backward until he brushed his displeased teacher, the two moving to stand back to back, defensive stances ready.
"Midoriya!" He seethed, his scarf clutched in his grasp, flowing around dangerously. With his goggles still in place, he was able to keep the remaining villains at bay, apprehensive of his Quirk. He was nearing his limit, his max duration already halved. "What are you doing here?" Why were you about to execute someone, he wordlessly asked.
"Sensei." Izuku's voice was serious, not a trace of fear detectable. The plan had changed, the goal was still the same. He had prepared contingencies. To plan for the future, he had to make sure Eraser Head's Quirk remained uncrippled, for it was far too precious. "I will handle the fodder and the Nomu. You engage the leader, take him out, cut off the head of the snake." As he finished, he clutched a hand to his chest, focusing his power into it, his veins bulging with green energy. There was no time to argue. With Kurogiri gone, the League's only means of escape, he had to strike while the iron was hot. Daigoro, lend me your power!
"No. I'll create an opening, use it to escape, get to the entrance with the others." Aizawa protested.
"Hah!" With a shout, he raised his hand, and suddenly glowing blackish tendrils shot out in every direction in the dozens, their tips speeding outward like javelins. Blackwhip, empowered by One for All, quickly found and wrapped around the Villains, suffocating and incapacitating without prejudice. Those who dodged were unprepared for the tendrils to adjust the direction and seek them out actively, unadulterated terror gripping their hearts. Their surprised shouts and screams of pain filled the air, and he paid no heed, showing no mercy, green eyes dark and steely. Aizawa watched the AOE move momentarily in shock, his hair dropping, Quirk deactivated. The whip aimed at Shigaraki was torn to shreds by the Nomu as was expected.
"Kids these days are really something," Shigaraki spoke in awe, scratching his neck. He continued to scrape until he left red marks, increasingly frustrated. "Our League should be ashamed. Nomu, take care of him." With a simple command, the hulking abomination rushed towards the young teen, fist raised, its mouth open ominously. Within a split second, he threw a punch, only for Izuku to dodge it effortlessly, swaying his head to the side and landing an uppercut on the Nomu's jaw. His counter did no damage, although it allowed him to backstep away from his teacher, who raced towards Shigaraki forced to go along with his suicidal plan. Good, he thought, so there was still a chance.
He could not afford any distractions as he dodged every consecutive punch the Nomu threw at him, bobbing and weaving his head, using his hands to deflect insanely powerful blows, his own body creaking from the exertion. With Danger Sense in overdrive, his body maintaining Full Cowling, he was sure to lose a battle of attrition despite his lighting fact movement. His green orbs zig-zagged left and right, watching, reacting with a decade of experience, forcing his body to keep up. A heavy amount of sweat poured down his body, drenching his already wet clothes. The prototype before him lacked the intelligence of his future counterparts, providing him a significant advantage, one he expected to exploit.
Still, it possessed an impressive set of Quirks. To an outside observer, the two were moving incredibly quickly, blurring in intense bouts. Eraser Head, weakened from overuse of his Quirk, fought on even ground with his young target, making sure to time his attacks with the few seconds he could deactivate his Quirk. Nobody had the upper hand, and despite the flurry of blows he delivered into the Nomu's abdomen and face, he did no damage.
His eyes shot up, watching the Nomu attempt a ground slam. A chance! A natural reaction would be to step back, but instead, he jumped forward, catapulting off his opponent's quadriceps, dodging the strike. He grabbed the Nomu's tricep and pulled himself up onto his shoulders, creating a thin strand with Blackwhip, and pulled it tight across the monster's neck, taut, choking it. As dehumanized as the creature was, it still possessed base instincts, and the reaction to sudden choking was panic. With his enhanced strength, he was able to keep his grip, his fingers burning from the strain.
The Nomu struggled, reaching up to its neck, desperately trying to grab the wire as pained grunts and howls escaped. Izuku tugged hard, digging into its thick skin, and pulled back. It was an intense rodeo leaving him with no room for error. Only a few minutes, and he would win. Peeking at Aizawa, his eyes dilated as he noticed a small tear in space slowly open with a rumble. Time was up. He had not been able to defeat his opponent, and Shigaraki was still standing. Shigaraki continued to scratch his neck, annoyed, angry, and resentful as his companion relayed information. The situation was dire for both parties.
"We don't stand a chance against a dozen Pros. It is game over, man, it's game over for now." He lamented, his hands shaking as he thought about his next move. Aizawa stood back, panting, not able to attack. "We're leaving." He decided. There no students around for him to butcher to hurt All Might's pride, so an instant retreat was the only option. Red orbs locked with green. A deep hatred burned to life in his stomach. "Kurogiri, get the Nomu."
"As you wish." The dark purple caretaker of Shigaraki replied, only for its long yellow eyes to widen in surprise, unable to warp. "Huh?"
"Not on my watch." The Pro Hero commented, his hair standing on end, turning towards Izuku and shouting, "Finish the job!"
A growl left the time travelers throat as he dispelled his wire and turned around, grabbed the back of the Nomu's head, and jammed his hand down and into its mouth. The beast bit his arm, nearly tearing the limb in half, its massive arms reaching to grab his body. With a fire in his eyes, Izuku ignored the pain, his body long past its limits. He drew upon the power of En, the sixth user, and began to pump thick plums of smoke into the Nomu. Its eyes widened in shock, its stomach inflating as an enormous amount of vapor condensed within it. Izuku did not notice the many pair of eyes watching him.
The Nomu continued to expand, its regenerative powers only increasing the amount of stress on its body. Within seconds, its arms hung limp, eyes unfocused, and dropped to its knees, clearly unconscious. Aizawa, his classmates, even the League of Villains expected him to stop his attack. A thin stream of gas escaped from the edges of its mouth. However, no one could have foreseen what happened next.
"Dammit!" With a frustrated cry, his vision blanketed by rage as he imagined his friends and family watch him fail to stop the source of all his suffering, Izuku continued to pump Smokescreen inside his opponent. He had been too weak! The Nomu nearly doubled in size, its muscles tearing themselves apart, before imploding with a thunderous bang, releasing the insane amount of smoke trapped within itself. Blood, bones, and guts rained down around the young Hero clenching his arms and screaming into the sky. "DAMMIT!" He cried once more, full of grief.
With a bam, the U.S.J. entrance was blown open, and All Might walked through, furious.
"Fear not." His voice fell on deaf ears. "I am here!"
END
AN: Whew, I wrote way too much for this installment. Let me know what you think is missing or needs improvement. I presume I am writing Izuku's character correctly. Those who smile the most are the most shattered inside. I have enjoyed reading all your reviews and comments, especially about the pairing selection. It seems that the MILFs need some loving, and I am inclined to agree.
*Chapter 306 cover art appearance.
**Genos vs. Saitama ending punch.