"Hell Spider!" Endeavor yelled. Concentrated wires of fires burst from his fingertips as he tried to land a hit on the mysterious villain. "What kind of quirk does he have?!"
Miruko hopped between buildings and managed to get behind the attacker. "Lunar Style: Crescent Moon!"
Vali just smirked underneath his mask. This was fun. After all these were heroes who were at the top for their strength not their appeal.
'It's a shame my son can't enjoy this battle with me!'
He turned to the direction of the alleyway. "I wonder how Alta's apprentices are doing?
In the Unknown...
Izuku blinked as he looked at his journal. He was...sitting down taking notes as Takahashi was washing some laundry, right? "Takahashi."
"Hm?"
"I had another question about this chakra thing." The man nodded. "The way you talk about it, it makes it seem different from a quirk. Taught, not born. Versatile yet basic. Is there anything else about it?"
Takahashi put down his laundry as he looked up at the sky. "I suppose it is some great mystery. Quirks at its fundamental level is biology. Very few things can ever be labelled as occult like chakra. One thing I imagine quirks don't have is connection."
"Connection?"
Takahashi raised his hand and held it up to Izuku, Izuku followed. The blue flame appeared and suddenly a green flame from Izuku's followed.
"In my time, this power was seen as a connecting force between all users. In a sense it's like a family built upon something other than blood. Izuku for as long as you carry this power you will be connected to all other users."
Takahashi's voice echoed before the world cut to black.
Izuku opened his eyes to a vast landscape, but saw that his body was made out of fire. The same green fire as he's displayed many times.
"Connection?" A voice echoed. Though it sounded like it was underwater. "What the-"
He looked up and in the distance he saw more colors. Pink, purple, blue, and orange. The orange one was much closer to him. It was weak and barely flickering in and out of the world. Though Izuku knew he heard a voice from there.
Somehow taking a step closer, the orange flame took shape into-
"Kacchan?"
The blonde wasn't moving and only stared at Deku. The two looked at each other and noticed the new details on their form. Izuku's figure was covered in slashes. His arms and torso were cut open. Katsuki's had several holes in the side and arm.
The two stared down for what seemed the longest time before their hands moved. Slowly lifting up, both boys were confused but drawn to the action. Before their fingers could touch, suddenly-!
Izuku disappeared. Katsuki blinked in surprise before a white light shine over him and-
The stars greeted him.
He gasped loudly as his nose was burning. "Izuku!"
"M-Momo?" He croaked. "Where's Kacchan?"
Bakugou's were barely open. His body was somehow still working despite the massive explosion he endured. Throughout the years, there have been countless studies on the effects bodies inheriting quirks to those who don't differ. Most studies concluded that initial generations have the bodies to handle such powers. Katsuki Bakugou was no different.
Tokoyami had Dark Shadow cover them as he dragged Bakugou away from the crater. He wanted to puke. Though he should expect something bad to happen, he still wasn't fully prepared to deal with it.
Blue light entered his peripheral vision as he turned to see Takahashi standing over him. "What happened?"
Takahashi knelt over Bakugou when Hawks landed a few seconds later. "Tokoyami?"
"We cornered the villain and they blew up when he made contact."
"Blew up? Like…" Hawks eyed Bakugou suspiciously.
"Not like that!" Tokoyami said. "He turned pink and said something about Bakugou being one of them."
Hawks used his feathers and could sense the beat of Tokoyami's heart. There was no change in pace. It was the truth. Takahashi, however, was looking forward as he healed Katsuki.
"Hawks. How fast can you carry Katsuki to the hospital?"
"Given his injuries and if I was careful, I'd say about six minutes." Hawks answered. Takahashi put a hand on Katsuki's chest. A blue cocoon wrapped around him. "If that's what I think it is, three."
"Go. Save my student. Tokoyami can stay with me and help gather evidence."
"Hm." Hawks glanced at Tokoyami. "Keep your eyes peeled for anything worth mentioning. I'll be back with the police to sort things out."
"Yes sir." Tokoyami replied.
Hawks took off, leaving Takahashi and Tokoyami behind. Takahashi breathed in and out while Tokoyami summoned Dark Shadow.
"Tokoyami. Did the man say anything about me?" Takahashi asked.
"...he was scared when the idea of you guys arriving happened. Afterwards, Katsuki touched him and then…"
"I understand." Takahashi's blue eyes were looking at the crater. To the naked eye, there was nothing. To his eyes, he could see remnants of pink energy. His fists clenched.
'Izuku. I hope you're not in any danger.'
Hosu...
"Kac-Bakugou? He's not here. Look I need to know if-" Izuku's body was pulled to the side as Momo pulled out the way of a few more knives thrown their way.
"Can you move?"
"No." Izuku replied. His fingertips didn't even twitch. "It's his quirk. Iida, Native. They were cut, but I didn't feel any effects until…"
"He licked some blood." Iida said. The two looked at Iida. "When you fell, I saw his tongue lick up some blood from the blade. That's how he paralyzed you."
"Gross." Izuku said. "I don't know how long we'll be paralyzed, but you need to be careful."
"So we'll just have to rely on delaying Stain until we can find out how to free you." Momo said. "Then we'll do just that."
Kendo was swinging her broken staff pieces like escrima sticks as Stain was pushing her. Todoroki growled. Blocks of ice erected from the ground as he tried to make contact. Both Kendo and Stain managed to avoid the ice.
Kendo turned and saw Stain above her with his sword at the ready.
"Todoroki, stop! You're getting frostbite!" Momo shouted as she charged forward.
She was running and summoned a european longsword with a shield. The classic blade of a knight, she moved forward.
Stain gritted his teeth and lunged. Sparks flew between the two as each one tried getting the upper hand.
Stain had grown more exhausted with the bouts between Deku, Todoroki, and Kendo. This girl was just another obstacle to his goal. Though he could feel his arms grow heavy from every blow he struck.
He kicked Momo's shield and pushed her back. He swung down when Kendo blocked the strike.
"You two are good. You two know how to watch each other in fights!" Stain shouted. Kendo screamed and pushed forward. Momo got up and followed her lead. Stain swung his blade in a wide arc to get the two back.
"You're outnumbered!" Kendo said.
Backflipping a few times, he grabbed his second sword. He bared the blades in front of him like fangs.
"And? You think you're the first group of heroes to corner me? Do you think the Hero Killer wouldn't be prepared for this!"
Kendo and Momo went on the defensive as Stain leapt at them. Kendo used her pieces to defend herself while Momo took on one of his sword hands. Sparks flew between the three as it carried on.
Todoroki sighed in relief as the freezing pain in his right side subsided. "Alright I'll use my fire."
"Wait!" Izuku said. Todoroki turned around to see Izuku glaring at Stain. "They're too close. Any warning you give them, Stain will take as well. We need to save them before you finish him."
"We?" Todoroki saw Izuku's body shaking. The anger in his face only reflected some of the will the boy was using to make him move. "Iida. Can you move?"
"I don't…" He stopped and tried clenching his fist. To Iida's surprise, his fingers began to twitch. "How are we moving?"
"Stain didn't get me so long ago, but you were like that since the beginning of the fight. What's your type?"
"A."
"O. So we can infer it's either the amount of blood or how rare it is." Izuku said as he struggled to get up. "I think we'll be free at the same time. We can save both of them before Todoroki fires back at Stain."
"Midoriya." Iida said as he looked forward. Kendo and Momo were losing ground. Stain was by far the superior swordsman. "Can I really?"
"Help me. Help me, Ingenium!" Izuku said. "Save our FRIENDS!"
Iida screamed as well as the effect slowly faded.
Momo's blade snapped and Kendo's pieces shattered. Both girls almost lost their footing as Stain licked his lips.
"YES!"
"Kendo!" Momo went to grab her friend as Kendo was about to expand her fist to shield them.
Two loud booms went off. Pink electricity and blue flames from an engine lit up the alleyway. Stain's sword hit the concrete. He barely blinked when he turned to see what happened.
Deku held Kendo in his arms in a bridal style. Iida managed to save Momo in time as well.
Iida was giving him a death glare. "Are you alright?"
"Fine."
"Good job, A." Kendo said as she finally let her arms rest.
"Not too shabby, Ken-B." Deku said. He allowed himself a small smile before opening his palm. A green barrier shot up between them and the killer.
Stain raised an eyebrow when he felt a swirling wave of heat behind him. Todoroki's flames lit up the alleyway as he sneered.
"Take this!" Todoroki thrust his palm forward and the alleyway was flooded with fire. Stain's eyes widened as he threw a knife.
Todoroki's eyes widened as he felt the knife hit his shoulder, the force enough to throw off his aim. Stain ducked, requipped his swords, and charged. Shoto gritted his teeth as he stopped firing.
Stain grinned as he aimed for the arm.
SHNK!
Stain stopped in his tracks. Something hooked into his arm. He turned to see Deku holding him back.
"Iida!" Ingenium moved in. Stain raised his blade, but the engine teen shattered it with one kick.
"Midoriya, now!"
Deku suddenly appeared in front of Stain. Stain reacted fast and swung his second blade.
Deku caught the blade between his hands and twisted it, disarming Stain. Stain was thrown off balance when his opponent charged his fists. Pink and green energy crackled between his knuckles as he lunged forward.
"Detroit!" He landed the first punch on Stain's cheek. "BARRAGE!"
Heavy blows rained everywhere as Stain felt Deku land hit after hit against his body. His arms, shoulders, gut, face, nowhere was safe from Deku's hands.
One loud crack later, Deku had his back turned as Stain went flying. 'I finished it with my own hands!'
Meanwhile...
'Stain.' Vali did several backflips away from Miruko as he sensed the battle with Deku and the others. 'You've really been pushed by children.'
"Flashfire Fist!" Endeavor shouted. Vali waved his hand and neutralized the flames. "Come on."
"Have I overestimated him? No, Alta's prodigy would've been a problem alone much less taking on multiple students. I guess I can't fault him on that."
"What'cha mutterin' about?! Hope it's a final prayer!" Miruko shouted.
Vali's eyes narrowed as Miruko got closer. When her fist was about to make contact, he lifted the mask to reveal his lips. "Don't move."
Miruko suddenly froze as Vali twirled around her. Endeavour ran up to him with a fiery spear.
"Attack her." Vali commanded. Endeavor's eyes widened as his arm suddenly changed direction and he threw it at Miruko. The bunny hero gasped and felt the stiffens go away when she felt her reflexes kick in.
"Hey, watch it jackass!"
"It wasn't me!" Endeavour yelled. The number two and six were about to continue arguing when Vali landed in front of them.
"Stand still." The two heroes stiffened up as Vali clapped his hands. A bright pink flashed before them and then he was gone. Endeavor and Miruko blinked for a second.
"What the hell!" Miruko screamed.
Endeavor glared at the spot as he finally took note of the fight. "His power. There's no way a singular quirk can do that. Enhanced speed, strength, durability. Light manipulation and even a form of brainwashing."
He looked at his hand and clenched it. "Is he a man with...multiple quirks?"
Miruko heard that and her exasperation switched to seriousness. "What?"
The police and Uwabami from the sides were also stunned to see the villain disappear. The snake hero sighed before her head snapped up.
"The kids!"
Endeavor and Miruko suddenly remembered their interns. Both the second and sixth moved forward.
Vali hopped between buildings as they tried to find their kids. "Stain, I want you to be more interesting. I want you on my side, so please accept this generous gift and win."
He aimed at the sky and fired two balls of energy.
"Isolate him and the boy." Vali muttered. The orbs flew off to their destination.
Meanwhile...
Momo and Kendo sighed. "That was close."
Todoroki slid his foot forward and encased Stain in ice. "That should hold him. Help with Native and we can call for backup."
"Right." Momo said. Kendo followed as Iida stared at the unconscious Stain.
Izuku walked up behind him. "Hey, are you ok?"
"No." Iida said. "He should pay for what he did."
Izuku narrowed his eyes. "Hey, you're not gonna kill him. You'd be proving his point about you not being a hero. Don't let him win or your brother's justice won't mean anything."
Iida clenched his fists tightly before letting go. "I've shamed the Ingenium name. I let vengeance cloud my mind and I almost crossed that line. Thank you, my friend, for saving me."
"It's fine. Nothing like taking a few knives to help you see the point." Izuku said as he rolled his shoulders. Iida flinched at the realization and the two walked back. "Alright so first thing we need to do is make sure the pros are coming then-"
A sudden pain flashed in Izuku's head as he looked up. "Move!"
"Huh?" Iida said before Izuku pushed him away. Kendo, Momo, and Todoroki saw two bright pink balls descend. One landed between Iida and Izuku and the other struck Stain.
"RAAAAAAAAGH!" Stain roared as he opened his eyes, blank whites as energy coursed through his body.
"You've got to be kidding me! What the hell now?!" Todoroki said.
Iida opened his eyes and saw a pink barrier erected between him and Izuku. "Midoriya!"
He pressed his hand against the barrier and felt the sturdiness. "A barrier! We need to break it!"
"Hold on!" Kendo ran up and enlarged her fist. She punched with all her might, but the only thing she got was a small shockwave. Iida jumped back before running in with a kick. Momo opened her vest and thought quickly. A cannon formed.
Making a dense cannon ball, Momo loaded it and fired! The ball broke upon contact.
"Izuku, can you break it from there?" Momo asked.
Izuku was too busy examining the barrier to do something just yet.
'This is…' His mind flashed to the dreamscape. A figure in a similar pink hue flashed in his mind.
"Move." Todoroki coldy stated. Todoroki's body was covered in frost as he swung his right arm and everyone did as he said. A massive glacier formed as it struck the barrier. To everyone's shock, it shattered like glass.
"What the hell?" Todoroki said. "This barrier's like...Takahashi's."
None of them noticed the peering eyes above. Vali hung over them like a ghost. He watched Stain with great interest.
"Now Stain, begin."
The other U.A students turned to Todoroki in shock when they felt the earth rumble. Deku turned around and saw Stain break free from the ice.
Steam hissed as the killer was twitching.
"This. I don't know this feeling." Stain muttered. "But I feel so strong! LIKE ALL MIGHT!"
Deku gritted his teeth. 'There's no mistake. Stain has been infused with Chakra similar in strength to Takahashi's.'
"Midoriya's stuck in a barrier with that killer! And he seems so different." Iida said.
Kendo punched the barrier again. "We gotta keep trying! He needs help!"
Stain slammed his foot and rosey flames engulfed his body. "Midoriya! I need to use this power to PURGE!"
Deku took a deep breath as he let One for All course through his body. Chakra followed after and he could feel the powers flowing as one.
"One For All: Full Synchronization." He got into position. He could feel his powers leaking out of his powers as OFA coursed through his veins. "Dual Cowling!"
Stain charged forward. Deku followed the same action.
Stain and Midoriya clashed. Green and pink lights flared within their sphere. Iida and the others tried striking the barrier as Deku kept fighting.
The two threw their best combinations. Every punch or kick was countered or blocked. Twisting and twirling like some sick dance between the two, Stain was grinning madly at the power coursing through his veins.
Deku grunted as he blocked one more strong punch as he looked behind him. The pink barrier wasn't breaking. Momo shattered another sword as Todoroki summoned sharp spikes of ice to cut through it.
"Are you worried about backup? Aren't you a true hero that can face forward no matter what?!" Stain grabbed Deku's wrist. Slipping his fingers around the gauntlet, Stain gripped the ejector and pulled the blade out.
Deku flinched and fumbled back as Stain went into reverse grip. Switching defensively, Deku kept his arms up, using his bracers to take the bites. Sparks flew, metal nicked the suit, but Stain made no contact with Deku's skin.
"Stubborn brat!" Deku saw his moment when Stain slashed in an arc. Grabbing his wrist and spinning around him, Deku lifted his leg and made contact with Stain's temple. The murder crashed to the ground.
Yet Deku didn't relax as he saw the pink light covering the impact area. Stain got back up and kicked him. The student reeled as he felt the pink energy enter his wounds. Suddenly it felt as if Denki was shocking him with over a million volts.
"Izuku!" Momo cried out as she saw him violently twitching.
"What the hell?" Deku cried out. Stain kicked him in the stomach and sent him flying into the barrier. The force was enough to slightly crack the inside.
"How the hell are we supposed to break through?!" Kendo asked.
Todoroki grunted as he turned to Momo. "Make a thick shield. I'm going all out."
Deku got up as Stain was above him. Rolling out of the way, Deku barely managed to evade his own blade coming down. Flipping to a new stance, he took a moment to catch his breath. His body was still tingling while Stain just stared at him.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you. I'll beat you unconscious, do the same to your friends, and slaughter the fake."
Deku gritted his teeth and his green energy flared. OFA coursed through his body as well. Stain's smile slightly dropped. The immense pressure could be felt from the distance between them.
"Come on then, Deku! Fight me as the hero you are!"
Todoroki's sides flared up as Momo, Kendo, and Iida were behind the shield. Native was pushed outside the alley as their indicator, so they didn't have to worry about him.
'The barrier's acting just like the Nomu we fought earlier. It absorbs the energy from our attacks and it contains the energy within. If Todoroki can produce just enough power to break it, it'll shatter the barrier and won't destroy the buildings around us.'
"Flashfreeze." Todoroki muttered.
"Detroit." Deku started. His arm was vibrating violently.
Stain could feel the energy and hopped away time.
"SMASH/HEATWAVE!" Shoto and Deku yelled.
Two colliding forces hit the barrier. Stain tried to cover his eyes, but he could see the cracks in the barrier. He braced himself when it shattered before him. A loud shockwave echoed throughout the alleyway. The walls cracked open and windows shattered.
Momo, Iida, and Kendo held each other tightly. When the shaking stopped, they looked and saw the barrier in pieces. It dissipated in pink smoke. Todoroki's costume was torn up as his sleeves were all, but ashes.
Deku smirked as he saw the barrier missing, but winced when he looked at his arm. It was purple and bleeding. A shadow moved in and his eyes widened.
"Let's go!" Iida said. The trio were about to move when a blood curdling scream pierced their ears.
The smoke slowly cleared to show Stain biting on Deku's broken arm. Deku's body stiffened as Stain's tongue licked up his skin.
"Stay." Stain said. He kicked Midoriya on his back as he turned to the other heroes. Licking his lips, he reached into his belt and threw several knives. Todoroki slammed his right foot and made an ice barrier.
"Move in, now!" Todoroki clutched his sides as he fell to one knee.
"I'll get Midoriya!" Iida shouted. He ran forward. Stain saw him and pulled out more knives. He was about to throw them when a javelin suddenly appeared and almost hit his hand. His attention turned to Momo and Kendo. Both girls charged at him. Kendo with a new staff and Momo dual wielding shields.
Stain barely saw Iida grab Midoriya as the girls jumped in. He could see his sword on the floor, but Kendo jabbed him with the staff. He tried stabbing when Momo slid forward and caught the knife. The two started their coordinate attack, pushing Stain back.
Stain felt one more surge of power run through him. He screamed and threw Kendo off. He grabbed her staff and bent it. The shock prevented her from blocking the kick to the chest. Momo went to protect her when Stain finally reached for his sword.
The energy hissed in his hand as it transferred to the blade. "Yes."
Moving on top of her, Stain gave a maddening war cry as he swung down. The sword cut into the metal like a hot knife into butter. He swung down again and again, chipping away at the tungsten. Momo felt herself being pushed down before hitting the concrete with her knees.
He did one more slice and cut through the metal. Momo screamed as her skin was torn.
"Momo!" Kendo grabbed Stain from behind and suplexed him. The hero killer wasn't deterred as he rolled off the blow while Kendo got up.
He swung his blade again and it was aimed at her neck. Kendo barely moved when an ice barrier appeared. Todoroki moved in with his left side flaming. He swung in an arc, a wave of fire kept Stain in bay as Kendo went to Momo.
The girl was clutching her and trying to wrap it with gauze she created.
Izuku clenched his teeth as he watched on.
"I have to move." Iida said.
"Wait." Izuku growled. Iida turned to Midoriya who was glowering. "I have an idea. I need everyone to get around me."
Iida was confused, but nodded.
'Chakra flows through him. If he can get a boost like that then…"
Izuku's thoughts turned to everyone as Iida grabbed Todoroki. He yelled something to Momo and Kendo and the two circled around with Stain.
The Hero Killer tried throwing some daggers, but Todoroki slammed his hand on the ground.
An ice wall the size of an entire building rose. A shaky frosty breath escaped Todoroki's lips.
Iida and the others gathered around Midoriya as they heard the garbled war cries were approaching.
"Everyone should link hands now."
"Midoriya."
"We don't have time! Link together while we still have time. Momo, put a hand on me!" Momo put a hand on Izuku's shoulder. The ice wall began to crack.
Izuku let out a deep breath and focused his power. His energy was a river, it can flow through anything. The images of water flowing into his friends worked as green light spread over the four.
Everyone could feel any exhaustion melt away as Izuku kept the flow on. Iida and Todoroki looked at each other. Kendo looked at her body and could feel her strength double. Momo looked at Izuku as he concretrated.
Above them, Vali's expression was unreadable. "Hm."
Stain finally broke through the wall, sword in hand. He saw the glowing green circle and blinked at it.
Izuku finally cut off the flow. His body ached as if his cup was almost empty.
All four of his classmates were charged up. Whoever charged up Stain clearly didn't give him enough to last all night.
"Midoriya, how will you fare?" Iida asked. His friend looked exhausted.
"I don't need to throw a punch. As long as my power saves others, I'll be fine!" His body was still paralyzed. Iida and the others faced Stain, each of them having Izuku's power course through him.
Stain pointed his blade to the others. "I won't let my work end here!"
"Go for an all out attack!" Izuku screamed.
Ingenium got into a running stance, Kendo's fists enlarged, and Momo got into a proper sword stance, green energy humming from the blade itself.
Todoroki's stab wounds were no longer an issue when he swung his arm. Spikes of ice covered the ground as Stain charged. The embers of energy that saved him have pushed him to his upper limits.
These children have pushed far more than any pro. Even the fake Ingenium, his conviction was still shaky but he couldn't deny that he held some power. For that he had to commend them, but it didn't mean that he would ever stop.
Slicing through the ice, Stain kept pushing forward when Kendo came in with her giant fist. A massive crater formed in the ground as Stain was finally stopped. Kendo swung her hands again and clapped. The resulting boom pushed him back.
Covering his ears, Stain could see from the smoke the green glow of Momo's blade. She jumped from the smoke like Miruko. Blade raised high, she swung down in a mighty arc.
Stain roared as he put the remaining energy into his swing. The forgein power complying with his wish, the pink sparks formed a barrier around the blade. Pink and green streaks clashed in the middle. A shockwave between the two sword wielders blew debris back.
'So this is-!'
'The true potency in their power!'
Momo could feel her opening coming through. Summoning all she could, she let out a harsh war cry as she pushed her blade down. Stain's blade broke and he moved back in time for the green blade to sink into the concrete.
Stumbling back, the Hero Killer suddenly stopped to see ice cover his feet.
"Recipro!" Blue flames ignited from Iida's legs. "BURST!"
Iida could feel time slow to a crawl. His eyes travelled at the end of the alley. Kendo, Momo, and Todoroki were screaming at him. To end this nightmare, to finally stop Stain. He would stop Stain. Not as Iida, the grieving brother, but as Ingeniuem, the hero meant to surpass his brother.
"Farewell, Hero Killer!"
The villain felt the massive weight of the kick hit his stomach. Whatever power was left only served to cushion the blow as he slammed against the wall. Spider cracks travelled up the building as Iida crashed onto the floor.
Deku watched as all of his friends tried to catch their breaths. The green energy dispelling from their bodies and each one on their knees. Kendo clutched her side as Momo held onto the hilt of her blade like a cane.
Todoroki was the only one standing when he turned to Midoriya. The green teen's time as a statue finally ended, sitting on his butt watching the others. Despite having his suit torn, a few gashes on his limbs and side, and bruises on his back, he smiled at them with the brightest one he can muster.
"Midoriya?"
"You guys are so cool."
Above them where they were unaware, a voice tsked.