Chapter 52
Race For Victory

"The Crown? What is he talking about?" Hisashi was confused since he had missed that part from earlier.

"Short explanation: Basically, it's The Baron's ultimate goal to reunite all of our family's Neon Stones to awaken a new power. One that apparently will give us the ability to take over everything and make his plan a reality. But if that's the case, we could use that to our advantage."

"Okay, that sounds good." Takashi nodded."But how exactly are we going to get our hands on the other stones? We don't know where they are at or how to activate the Crown. It's a suicide mission."

"Yeah...well, if we don't do anything, we'll die regardless. Honestly, even if all of us were in peak condition, we still wouldn't have much of a chance against him. So, we'll have to try and be as careful as possible."

"Glad to see you're acting normal now." Takashi, put a hand on his shoulder."Now, we just gotta figure out how to get close. Hisashi, he has two Quirks, thanks to the Nutrient. His first Quirk, Null Inertia, allows him to change the direction of an object he touches. He can use his QUirk every five seconds, so if he uses it once, that's an opening we have to exploit."

"Are you all done strategizing? It's too bad, really. The more time you take, the more time our dear sister is close to dead. At this point, I'm sure she's long gone. Well...her and my niece/nephew."

Takashi grabbed a neon cube from his belt and absorbed its properties, replenishing his reserves back to max and transforming to Juggernaut Stage."YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"

"Hey, wait!" Darby tried to grab his hand, but Takashi had blasted himself to Satoshi. He exchanged a quick nod with Hisashi as the middle son of the Kachidoki family transformed into Overclock Stage as they followed suit.

Takashi produced a neon scythe, twirling around in his hand."YOU'RE DEAD!"

Satoshi formed a small blade in his left hand, going under the edge of the scythe and twisting his body in the air, giving a back kick with his heel to Takashi's cheek, tossing him out of the way. He then fired neon from his feet, blitzing through Darby and Hisashi and appearing behind them, punching the back of their heads.

Takashi kicked neon in the air, grabbing their hands and stopping their momentum. In a matter of seconds, Satoshi was forced to the ground and had the three of them in front of him, delivering punches and kicks. Darby and clad his fists and legs with Black Spheres in hopes of increasing his strength, but all of this seemed futile against the oldest Kachidoki.

Satoshi's speed allowed him to easily block every punch coming to him, but he could not give a proper attack without being open for an attack. Takashi charged neon in one hand and Darby jumped in the air, his teen spheres combining into a Black Arm as he descended to hammer down at his foe. Satoshi grabbed Hisashi's face and pushed him out of the gay, slamming his fist against Takashi's face and changing the trajectory of the blast in his hand, accidentally blasting Darby on his side.

Satoshi lunged at Takashi, who had his arms in front of him."HEAT DOME ATTACK!"

"Satellite Crush!" Hisashi put his arms to the side, twisting his body before thrusting them forward, firing a thin neon blast behind Satoshi. Both attacks hit their target, creating sparks while they passed near each other before exploding.

Takashi huffed, noticing he had wasted a good chunk of his neon in that attack. But what he also noticed was a beam of neon that also decapitated him, had he not ducked in the last second. Satoshi fired a Neon Bullet, pushing Takashi against a wall before firing another neon stream. Hisashi appeared in front of his brother, taking the hit for them as the blast shot them further into the wall.

"Hisashi!" Takashi cried out, grabbing his brother who had lost his transformation. A new light appeared from his peripheral vision. Takashi grabbed Hisashi, protecting him from the blast impacting against his back.

"You bastard!" Darby sent three Blck Spheres against Satoshi, who managed to block them with his armor sleeve. Much to his surprise, the spheres were strong enough to chip the armor and knock him off balance. Satoshi spun in the air, landing on a wall. He touched the incoming spheres, activating his Null Inertia and using them against Darby. The crimson-haired teen scream as he felt the tremendous impact of his own Quirk, sending him back to the ground.

Satoshi, without missing a beat, grabbed the incoming neon-clad fist that Takashi tried to land on his head."How fascinating. You've gotten stronger and faster since the beginning of our fight." He chuckled at his expression."I see now how you were able to overpower Megumi. But you still have no chance of defeating me!"

Satoshi clad his own fist with neon, slamming it against Takashi's gut, knocking the wind and form out of him and throwing him against a wall.

Placing his hands on his hips, Satoshi admired his handy work. All three boys had gathered around, more beat up than ever.'It's almost time. I'm still having fun destroying their spirits. Though I still have unfinished business with Nishikawi. Oh well. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.'

"We're not getting anywhere. We need a plan." Darby was breathing heavily."Damn...I'm almost out of Neko Energy. Not to mention all these attacks are breaking my concentration ever so slightly. I'm almost out of juice...and I can't recharge more since I can't draw nature energy so deep underground."

"I hear ya." Takashi and Hisashi took a look at their utility belts."We're almost out of neon too. We're going to have to make this last attack count and hope for the best."

"Agreed. We need to hit him with coordinated attacks at the same time. If we attack him at full power after he uses Null Inertia, we might just be able to take down The Baron. So here's what we'll do. Takashi and I will distract him. Hisashi-senpai, when you see an opening after he uses his Quirk, attack him at full power and keep him locked. Once you do, we'll attack from the side and make those five seconds count."

"Sounds good. Be careful, you two." Hisashi told his juniors, who gave them a thumbs up and got in position.

Satoshi waited patiently for their move, critically analyzing their poses.'So, judging by how the two strongest fighters are getting closer and Hisashi is at the back, they are planning to distract me and wait for him to get a surprise attack. Let's see where this goes.'

As expected, Takashi and Darby both lunged at him, following him up in the air. Darby got on his Black Disk while Takashi took the initiative and slammed his arms against his, forcing him to the ground where Darby waved his hand, his Black Sphere nearly hitting Satoshi's chin. But this was part of their plan. Takashi back-kicked him in the head, shocking him after such a blow. Before he could use his Quirk, Darby spiral kicked him on his chest, sending him crashing skidding on the floor.

Satoshi narrowed his eyes, leaping into the air to avoid the Black Spheres and neon balls coming at him.

"Now!" Hisashi cried out, firing another Satellite Crush. Satoshi looked annoyed, stopping the attack with his hand."You're far too below me to make that attack work, brother!"

He felt a barrage of neon blasts hitting his back, causing his scowl to hardened.

"Takashi!" Darby hollered to him while they both descended down."Let's hit him with everything we've got left!"

Both both appeared from each of Satoshi's sides. Satoshi kneed Takashi and slammed the back of his fist against Darby's mouth."Null Inertia!" Both boys were sent away from their target, but this was going according to their plan.

"We've got it! Let's do it! Onyx Imperial Canon: Max Power!"

"Everlasting Aurora!"

Satoshi created a neon barrier around him, holding all three attacks in place. However, the barrier was being pushed back, cracks appearing all around it.

"We got three seconds! ALL OUT!"

Satoshi felt the attacks getting closer and closer, causing him to grimace."You impudent worms...Do you really wish to prevent the world to be free of its curse? I won't let you stop me!" He screamed, expanding the barrier as he outputted a ton of neon."Null Inertia!"

With just those words, the attacks were repelled back, mixing together and going back to their owners. Hisashi couldn't react in time as a white light blinded him. Takashi tried to put up a barrier of his own, but he was also overwhelmed. Darby screamed while he tried his very best to push the attack back but to no avail. The flame-like neon aura surrounding Satoshi died down while he descended back to the ground. He sighed, grabbing one of Ayushi's neon cubes that he stole and restoring his neon reserves. He took a few steps, studying his surroundings.

All three heroes were down on the floor. Not a single one looked like they were about to move. But something caught his eye. Takashi was laying inside a hole in a wall, one of his eyes opened.

"D-damn...I can't move..." He groaned, his body screaming and sending signals to his brain of the pain he was in. His eyes shifted over to where Hisashi was. He was laying down on his stomach. Darby was the one furthest away, but he could make up that his hair went back to blonde and his skin was normal again. He also noticed something red around his head. Squinting his eyes, he noticed there was a rock nearby with something red on it. Blood. It didn't take him long to realize Darby had hit his head hard and was now bleading. Probably had a concussion as well. IF the blow to the head wasn't severe enough to have killed him. He shuddered at the idea.

'Hisashi and I let go of our attacks, but Darby continued trying to resists...so he took the most damage...' He groaned in pain. Just thinking was a painful activity. Regardless of his circumstances right now, they had failed their coordinated attack. They were in checkmate.'So...this is how it ends huh...guess good endings realistically rarely happen...We put everything we had and it was all for nothing...We're screwed.'

"I guess you're all out of tricks?" Satoshi hummed to himself, scanning them as if he were waiting for a response. When he got none, he sighed."All right then. I suppose the least I can do is take you out of your misery." He rose his hand, creating a ball of neon that began increasing in size.

A shriek filled with hatred got his attention. He rose his left hand out of reflex, but a sword cut through his armor into his arm. Satoshi hissed, feeling someone grab his head and took him with him in the air.

"You damn bastard! You dare?! You can do what you want with me! But what you did to MY WIFE IS UNFORGIVABLE!"

Satoshi reacted quickly, punching him in the gut and activating Null Inertia, sending him crashing against a wall and knocking the wind out of him.

With a wave of his hand, Satoshi spilled blood on the ground from his wound."Nero."

Nero was fuming, almost hissing in rage as he tried to regain his senses."You god damn fucking psycho...You god damn monster! What right do you have to do what you did to her! And my unborn child!"

'Don't do it, Nero...' Takashi tried to move from his spot, but his lack of strength didn't allow him.

"TO HELL WITH BRINGING YOU INTO JUSTICE! YOU WILL DIE BY MY HANDS EVEN IF IT'S THE LAST GOD DAMN THING I DO, YOU MURDERER!"

Nero transformed into his demon form, raising Guerra as he flew over to him with killing intent. Satoshi sidestepped, planting his knee on his chest and shattering his ribcage."Null Inertia!"

With those words, Nero was thrown all the way to the ceiling before landing on the ground, unconscious and losing his form.

"Honestly...you guys seem to not know how to drop down and die." Satoshi resumed his attack, forming a giant ball of neon above his head.

Takashi closed his eyes, his hopes disappearing along with any chance of escaping with their lives. He heard a set of footsteps. He opened his eyes, taken back to see the back of his brother in front of them."Hisashi...?"

Hisashi absorbed whatever was left in a small neon cube."I'm basically out of neon, except with that little bit. I'm going to protect you as an older brother should." He twisted his body to the side, charging neon in his arms as saw the giant ball of neon coming at him.

"SATELLITE CRUSH!"

In comparison to the giant attack, Hisashi's seemed like an ant in comparison. It didn't stand a chance as his power was being pushed back to him.

"Hisashi get out of there!" Takashi cried out to his brother, his eyes being forced to squint due to the gust of wing created from the attacks colliding."Don't try to be a hero right now! You'll die!"

"And if I don't do it, we'll all die. I think it's a pretty fair trade." Hisashi cracked a smile, his blast disintegrating as his hands were burning against Satoshi's attack."I want to do this. What kind of brother would I be if I didn't protect my younger sibling?"

"You idiot! I hurt you! You're supposed to hate me! And yet...you don't! Why?! Why can't you get that through your damn head?!"

"It's simple. Does a brother need a reason to forgive his younger brother? We're family. You made a mistake, so what? We all did mistakes." Hisashi's smile faded."We all did. Our family has a record of that. But that doesn't mean we can do better. Satoshi is a victim of our flawed system. There is no hope for him or us. But we can do better for future generations. Takashi...I leave that to you and Darby-kun. I believe in my friends..."

"I heard enough of this nonsense." Satoshi fired a blast of neon at the giant ball, pushing it further. Hisashi began concentrating whatever neon he had left around his body, entering Overclock Stage.

"I love you. I always will."

With those words, Hisashi screamed as his body was engulfed completely. However, the massive ball of neon exploded before it could continue, creating a huge explosion that threatened to bring the whole cave down on them. In the middle of the crater created by the blast, Satoshi stood, grabbing Hisashi by his hair.

"You...had I not reduced the power of my attack, you would have blown everything up. You're insane..." He scoffed, rummaging through his pockets. With a sigh, he threw his body to the ground."Seems like you gave it to him after all."

Takashi gritted his teeth in fury, a vein threatening to pop out of his forehead. He held two Neon Stones in his hands.

"He must have given it to you when the three of you attacked me simultaneously." Satoshi surmised."He had a feeling it would come to this. Well, I guess it doesn't matter. It's not like you can fight."

"You bastard...!" Takashi groaned, forcing his body out of the hole he was in."I'm going to make you pay!"

"Oh? See, this is why you're my favorite sibling, Takashi. If only you were smarter..." Satoshi shook his head, seemingly disappointed."Now I have no choice but to kill you. I really didn't want to do this, you know? But for the sake of the world, I must."

"Fuck you! You took everything from me! You have no right to play the victim!" Takashi tried harnessing neon, but nothing came out. He aimed his hand at Satoshi, firing an almost diminutive neon blast, which did no visible damage. He tried firing several times again, but only smoke came out."Fuck!"

"Pathetic."

Without a care in the world, Takashi ran to Satoshi, engaging in a barrage of fists. Satoshi barely had to dodge. He took some hits on purpose, enjoying Takashi's face of despair when none of them worked.

"What's wrong? I thought you said you were going to kill me." Satoshi sidestepped, holding his foot out for Takashi to trip over.

"You suffered...We all have...so what makes you so special to decide who lives and who dies?!" Takashi forced himself up again, raising his fist only to receive an elbow to the chest. The young man fell on the floor, gasping for air.

"Seems like your injuries are catching up to you. Why do you still get up? Is this world really so worth saving? DOn't you see that humanity is destined to continue wagging war at each other when they have the power to do so?"

Takashi was pull up by the air, earning a pained moan.

"You've suffered enough, brother. Just stay down and die." He let Takashi's hair go, expecting him to fall. To his dismay, Takashi continued standing."You're wrong...brother..." He spat those words with venom."You are not saving the family and sparing them from pain by eradicating them...and...I'm not going to save them either, after the sins I've committed. The one who is going to save our family...isn't a Kachidoki...No...I know only one person who can save us...from ourselves...and his name is Darby Nishikawi."

Satoshi scowed."You really think an outsider like him can do that?"

"Well...he saved me from the darkness...So, yeah...I believe in him...And I will do whatever I can to help him save us!" Takashi threw a punch, easily avoided by Takashi who kneed him in the stomach. Takashi spat blood, but adopted a grin."Got you."

"Huh?" Satoshi glanced down, noticing Takashi had taken one of the Neon Cubes he had stolen from Ayushi. He swung his hand down, breaking it and letting the majority of the light escape. Takashi managed to absorb some of it, reaching him to 15% of power. He blasted himself away, not managing to control his power and falling harshly on the ground, next to Darby.

"Hey, buddy..." Takashi used his arm to crawl over to Darby."I hope you're...not out yet. I'm here..." He put his hand on top of his."Please...take my power...You can do that, right...? I am a living being after all...Surely you can..concentrate and...get it..."

Takashi felt fresh tears began to pour down his cheeks."This whole thing has been a mess after another...I'm scared...I'm scared of what fate has in store for us...I never thought that the reason my family was in shambles was because of a brother I never knew I had...My family...this might be the end of us...but I know you can end that cycle of hatred...as cheesy as it sounds..." He chuckled a bit."Funny how things work out...when I met you, I thought you were nothing but a weakling. But you continued to raise up to the challenges until you even surpassed me. It taught me that I wasn't at the top of the food chain. And most importantly, that friendship and bonds were necessary for one to become stronger. When you have something to protect...it just gives you strength, you know?"

He sighed, his eyelids feeling heavy."I realized this just now, but I found out why my family never became better...It's so simple, it's astonishing to think that we're considered elites..." He spared a glance at his unconscious friend."We've been trying to come out on top by ourselves...but what we really needed was to rely on others. Maybe if we did...we wouldn't have ended up this way...if only we weren't so proud and selfish...we could have made things better by simply asking for help...So here I am...asking you for help...Please, Darby...please free my family of these chains...Please...I beg of you..."

Satoshi grimaced, noticing how his brother's eyes had finally closed."Took him long enough. Here I thought I actually had to put a hole through his heart. Well, guess my work here is done. And that's left is to go get the Boss and get out of here. I might also have to prepare for any strong heroes up there. Either way...we win. Once I get those stones and activate the Crown, I win. Even if they did get the stones, the Crown only activates and goes to the person it finds worthy. Your selfish mentality would never have been even considered. Hm?"

Darby's hair had changed. His skin was white and his hair was baby blue. His hands began to twitch, followed by a grumble.

"My head...hurts like shit..." Darby sat up, rubbing his bloody head."Man...I lost a lot of blood...Takashi!" He noticed he was grabbing his hand."Takashi...you gave me the energy I needed to wake up..."

He got no response. He squeezed his hand, his eyes watering slightly."I promise...I heard you loud and clear. I won't let everyone's sacrifice go to waste. But...I'm the last one standing...? Really...?"

Satoshi clicked his tongue."I guess this won't be a waste after all."

"You...!" Darby growled, activating his six Black Spheres."Everyone trusted their dreams and hopes to me!" He showed him his fist as he activated Chaos Mode."I'm not letting them down!"

"Oh? Then feel free to stop me."

'I know that by using Chaos Mode, I'm using a lot of energy. And considering Takashi gave me only a little, I won't last long. That's why my next attack has to count!'

Satoshi observed as Darby lunged at him, sending five spheres at him."I'm glad you're still alive, Darby Nishikawi." He said as he evaded each sphere with ease. He threw a punch, but Darby used his arm and jumped above his head.

"Onyx Imperial Canon: Full Pow-" An elbow to the solar plexus interrupted his attack. Darby howled in pain, his hair going back to blonde after not being able to keep his concentration.

"That's it?" Satoshi inquired, grabbing him by the head and smashing him on the ground."Come on, get up. You still have to defeat the big bag villain and save the day. Don't you remember?"

Darby was now only able to maintain four spheres at best. Satoshi scowled upon noticing how slow and dull they were compared to before."Seems like you aren't a big deal without that Neko Mode of yours. At least Ashe could have given me a better fight without it. But you? You are pathetic."

"Don't talk about Ashe-san!" Darby sent two spheres at him, using the other two to jump in the air. He began spinning around, preparing a kick. Satoshi grabbed the two spheres with his hands and threw them at Darby. The blonde-haired teen was hit by his own Quirk, stopping his momentum.

"Ashe-san...she really made a mistake by trusting everything to a brat like you. It's funny. All of those people who died trusted you and here you are. Failing them. You must be the most useless human being ever.

Darby tried to cover his ears, unable to hold his tears upon hearing those words. He was right. He couldn't save Ashe. He failed to save Haru and Yuri back at the Salazar Mansion. He couldn't even save Hoshi when he was in front of him. They all died. Gone to never come back. Their dreams and aspirations went like the wind. And he couldn't save them.

"But they all died because I wanted them to die. I killed Ashe in her house. It was me. I stabbed her right through the neck. It was amusing seeing her agonize and choking on her own blood. Everyone here gave everything to you and for what? Because they're stupid and knew that they would die. The Kachidoki dynasty was destined to disappear along with whatever they did in the past. In other words, they're nothing but human scum. Expendables."

Satoshi smirked.'Let's see if that was enough to rattle him up. If what Mary said was correct, hatred and sorrow are what's needed. If this works out, then I'll have a new ally to help me fight those bastards. They won't get the last laugh."

Darby slowly stood up, his head glancing at the floor.

"Or maybe not. Regardless, this was a fun experiment." He leaped at him, prepared to kick his head off."But I'm afraid this is the end for you!"

Satoshi went for the quick but hit nothing. Darby had sucked at the last second, bending his knees and letting the kick cut strands of his hair.

"What?!" Satoshi exclaimed upon noticing the back kick coming to his face. He took a step back, dodging it, but Darby was now on him. Their fists crashed against each other, never missing their targets as their knuckles ached.

With a final punch, both of them leaped away from each other, gaining distance. Satoshi was taken back. He wasn't expecting him to come back livelier than ever. He had changed. His skin was the same, but his hair was...odd. It was still blonde, but there were black particles coming off of the top of his head, seemingly never-ending. His left eye was close, and some black liquid was pouring down from it. His right eye was wide, however, and his pupil was no longer blue but red.

"You have a lot of nerve to show yourself, Mary."

It was the day before the raid started. He was outside the base, standing next to a tree in the middle of the night. Bloody Mary was sitting on top of a branch, and not being able to see her put him on edge.

'Aw, don't be like that. We are technically allies, right? Come on, don't I get a hug?'

He frowned once he heard her distinctive maniacal laughter."Allies, you say? I didn't know allies sold each other out."

"Don't take it personally. You just needed some incentive, and I did just that. Besides, isn't it more thrilling this way?"

He chuckled at her words."Don't lie. You did this because he ordered it, right? If that's the case, wouldn't it be easier to just kill me?"

"He considers you an important piece and a great asset to have." Mary hung upside down from the tree, slightly startling him when he saw her face up close. She grabbed his face as if she were talking to a child."Consider this a test. If you manage to overcome this new adversity, you will be rewarded handsomely. You are The Baron. Despite being the lowest rank among them, you have demonstrated great capabilities as a fighter. Too much is riding on this. Besides, this is your only opportunity to get rid of the Kachidoki lineage. You want every loss you've experienced to mean something, right?"

"You don't need to tell me that. I will do it."

"I knew you had the spirit, Baron-kun." Mary landed on her feet."Oh, I must warn you. Among the people who want you dead, there is a boy name Darby Nishikawi. I'm sure you've heard of him."

"Yeah, I have. He's been causing some trouble to my plans. What about him?"

"Do be careful with him. He has great potential inside of him. And if he were to suffer both hatred and despair, he will be able to break out of his shell. Such as..."

"So, this is what she meant." He hummed to himself, his eyes widened."Interesting. So, I guess those key emotions really bring something out of you. I was considering trying to recruit you in order to kill those bastards, but if I kill you now, I'll manage to spoil his plans."

Darby remained silent, his breathing erratic. The black liquid coming from his shut-eye had made a puddle on the floor.

"Now, the final fight will begin. Can you win, Darby Nishikawi?"

Darby manifested three Black SPheres to his right. Satoshi rose a brow at that, not sure why he only had three. Without warning, Takashi shot a Black Sphere against another, using its gravitational force to launch him to him.

Satoshi fired neon blasts at him, trying to hit him in the air. Darby continued hitting his Black SPheres against each other quickly, dodging the attacks and avoiding to get damaged. Once he was close enough to him, he kicked a neon ball back at him, forcing Satoshi to jump in the air where he met his enemy face to face. Darby kicked him in the shoulder, putting him off balance.

He took a fist to the face, but he fought through the pain and use his Black Sphere, passing it through his palm and creating a Black Umbrella against his belly, sending Satoshi flying away,

'He's stronger than before. Even more than when he was in his Chaos Mode. So, this is the kind of power he was hiding. Just what are you, Darby Nishikawi?'

"I don't know how long I can keep this up..." Darby hoarse, his throat dry."I feel my body crumbling to pieces by the minute. I only have one chance of succeeding. I have to find that crown, no matter what. Ugh!"

Darby almost fell on his knees but found the strength to stand straight. He manifested a Black Sphere, shifting it into a Black Disk, and jumped on top of it while holding his head.

"My head feels like it's going to split open..." He groaned, grabbing the back of his head where his wound was."It's not even this...my head...it's like something is trying to split it open from the inside...!"

He heard the sound of neon firing behind him. Satoshi was mimicking Takashi's way of running in the air, running past him.

"You're not getting away." Satoshi's leg shined in emerald-colored neon, sending a neon slash by kicking the air horizontally. Darby jumped away from his Black Disk, going over Satoshi's head.

Darby and Satoshi engaged in an exchange of fists. Surprisingly, Darby was keeping up with Satoshi's speed, or at least, better than he was before. He wasn't sure what was going on with him, but it wasn't good. He felt like dying right there and there.

Do it.

Darby frowned, shaking his head at the thought.

Kill. Kill. Kill.

Release me. You're dying for it. You have no choice.

'Stop! What the hell is this?!' Darby got distracted, giving Satoshi the chance he needed to grab him by the neck and slamming him back to the ground.

Tear. Rage. Feed. Into. Me.

Darby groaned, crawling on the floor as he held the Neon Stones out. They were shining brighter down the corridor they were in. He was close. Now he had to figure out where exactly the Crown was.

'Takashi...Hisashi...I'm not going to let you down-GRAAAGH!" Darby howled in agony, falling on his knees as the pain in his head became excruciating.

Satoshi landed a few meters away from him, hands on his hips."Seems like he wasn't anything special. If he can't handle this much, then I guess he really is just a regular person. It's a pity. I was hoping to use him to test my strength and gain some insurance, but it can't be helped. It's been fun, Nishikawi. But I don't need you alive anymore."

Darby, however, wasn't listening to him. He heard a buzzing sound which grew louder and louder.

Give in. Kill. Kill.

"Stop...I can't...I have to..."

Tear his life out. He killed those dear to you. It's your right to have revenge.

"You're wrong...I only want the truth...I can't...kill anybody...regardless of what they've done!"

Stop deluding yourself. Fight. Kill. Feed into that feeling. You need it. Feel more rage. Fall into despair. Cry your eyes out.

"Shut up!" Darby screamed to the heavens, the liquid pouring from his eye making a puddle where he was kneeling."Get out of my head!"

"What's going on here?" Satoshi lowered his ball of neon down, crushing it."Is he losing it? Has the pressure finally gotten to come that he's gone mad? Or could it be..."

The young Nishikawi was banging his head on the floor, praying to God the pain would stop.

He made this happen. He did this. Kill. Him.

Give in. To these feelings. Rejoice them and set me free. Who you truly are.

"Lies! This isn't happening! I'm just stressed!"

You will die. Unless you let your emotions take over. The carnal feeling of revenge. Is the strong feeling a human can possess? He will kill you. Then kill the rest of your family.

"I won't let him..." Darby muttered, panting heavily and watching the black dust falling from his head like snowflakes.

If that's what you want...it's clear what you have to do. Give in to the desire for revenge. Make justice happen. Decide the truth.

"I will...I will...Kil-"

"Hey, what is this sorry sight I'm seeing? Come on, you're better than this."

Darby's eye shot open, glaring at the familiar voice speaking to him. He wasn't in the tunnels of the underground anymore. He was now in a white void of sorts. In front of him, his late friend.

"Hoshi..."

"Sup." Hoshi cracked a smile, giving him a peace sign."Seems like you're having a rough time."

"Hoshi..." Darby carefully crawled over to him, ignoring the terrible pain in his head, and forced himself to stand up, grabbing him by the shoulders."Hoshi..."

"Hey, take it easy." Hoshi put a hand on one of his arms, trying to ease his worries."You're way out of character. Usually, you're more composed and more hero-like. Come on, try to give me a smile."

Darby lowered his gaze, tears mixed with black liquid falling on the ground."I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry, Hoshi...because my me...you..."

"It wasn't your fault." Hoshi sighed, pulling Darby to a hug."You did what you could. I don't hold it against you. And I don't regret saving everyone's lives in exchange of my own. To sacrifice one for the rest...It seemed like a good choice. Sure, I wanted to live. I was...looking forward to my future with Ibara. But that's just how life is. It's a constant curve that brings more surprised the more you turn."

Darby remained silent, ignoring the ominous presence behind him.

"But I'm happy. I'm happy I got to chose how I died. That's been my biggest concern. Not being able to make my own choices because of my insecurities. But I got to do just that, albeit once. I don't regret it. And right now, a lot is resting on your shoulders." Crouching down to his level, he spared the being behind Darby a glance."No matter how dire the situation looks, you can't give up. If you do then everything would have been for nothing."

"I know...but...I..."

"Don't look behind you," Hoshi told him, glancing intently at the black-haired entity behind Darby. It had red eyes and its face was covered in darkness."I won't let you become something you don't want. I'll be here, at least until this is all over. Do it for me, yeah?"

"Hoshi...why..."

Hoshi sighed, standing up and offering Darby a hand."Because I truly believe you have what it takes to save everyone else. Darby, it's all up to you now. You can do it."

Satoshi hummed to himself upon seeing Darby stand up again. He seemed different. He wasn't breathing as erratically as before, but his hair was still letting off black particles. He turned on his heel, staring him down with his one open eye. The other was still close, but instead of having black liquid pouring out of it, a black line was going down from his eyebrow to his cheek.

"It's not over yet, Satoshi Kachidoki." Darby proclaimed, adjusting his headband."I'm going to get the Crown."

"Well, look who isn't having a mental breakdown anymore." Satoshi mused."I like that look. Maybe you can make this worthwhile after all. And besides, I suppose it's time I begin the preparations."

Satoshi blasted himself at Darby, tackling him in the air. The blonde-haired teen gritted his teeth, manifesting three Black Spheres and cladding his arm with them, proceeded to slam on Satoshi's back.

"Null Inertia!"

Before the attack could land, Darby was launched against a wall. He quickly jumped out of the hole in it, evading the neon blasts coming his way. Realizing he was starting to lose grand, he jumped on a Black Disk, shifting a sphere into a baton and hitting the blasts away as he flew away.

"Playing catch...I haven't done something like this since I was a child." Satoshi reminisced about his short-lived childhood. A single tear escape from his eye."I'm almost done...for your sake...and the sake of my cursed family!" The Baron rose his hands, creating countless neon balls behind him."Meteor Shower!"

A volley of neon was sent to Darby's way. He maneuvered his Black Disk in the way, guided by the shining Neon Stones in his hands. He used his free hand to swap away the few blasts he couldn't dodge. One of them got to his Disk, forcing him back to the ground and into a sprint. He jumped against the wall, using it to gain momentum and kick a ball of neon back to its user. Satoshi didn't move, allowing the attack to grace his cheek."Huh?"

Much to his shock, Darby was heading right towards him, his arms in front of him while escaping from the continuous explosions of the neon balls upon contact with each other. Satoshi accepted his challenge, creating a neon blade in his hand and launching himself at Darby.

Darby huffed, using a Black Sphere as footing and jumping over Satoshi, evading the sharp blade of light. Prepared to deliver a kick, Darby didn't see Satoshi's own kick against his face.

The oldest Kachidoki extended his blade, piercing through Darby's left side of his chest. Coughing up blood, Darby clad his hand with a Black Sphere and grabbed the blade pulling it further into him but forcing Satoshi to be pulled up. Raising his left leg above his head, Darby smashed Satoshi's own, forcing him to fall back to the ground.

'He's strong.' Satoshi groaned, rubbing his head.'I underestimated him. I didn't expect him to gain this much increase in strength. And unlike before, he isn't screaming his head out. I tremble by only thinking what it would be like if it were unleashed. What a monster. But, the Crown won't accept him. There is no harm in leading him to it, only to have his hopes crushed as I end his life.'

Satoshi leveled five fingers at Darby's body."Death Bullet."

With a gasp, Darby created another Black Disk and jumped on it, flying away from the almost lightning-fast projectiles.

"Hollow Torrent!"

Darby's eyes widened in panic, putting up a Neon Sheild in front of him. He cursed at the fact that he only had three of them available to him, so it didn't cover him entirely. Even if it did, the attack completely pulverized the spheres, sending him crashing through several walls.

Darby skid to the middle of the room, the fatigue and pain he once was in return. The adrenaline was dying down and the energy crash was settling in. This wasn't good.

"Seems like you neglected yourself too much, Nishikawi." Satoshi walked leisurely through the hole in the wall, observing his surroundings. This room was different than the rest. It was dim-lit. There were several pillars along with rows of computers around them. Above the pillars was a golden object sitting on top of what seemed to be a throne of sorts. Each of the pillars was surrounding it, holding machinery on top of it with shiny objects.

"The Crown..." Darby breathed upon the sight.

"Correct." Satoshi nodded."Now that we're here, all I have to do is get the stones away from your hand and start my mission. Once I put that crown on, nothing in this world will rival me. If you are a calamity, I am supremacy. This room is top secret. Not even Overhaul, my boss, knows about it."

"I have no idea what you're babbling about..." Darby got back on his feet."But you made a big mistake leading me here. You think this is over...But I'm not letting you win..."

"With those wounds, I doubt you can do much." Satoshi pointed out, trailing the blood that was coming from Darby."Finally, after all these years, my goal can finally be completed. Ironic how YOU out of all people made this possible. The new world is coming and it all starts with that. But before we move on to the final event, I believe we should enjoy these final moments of peace. It could be the last words we ever share together."

"I have nothing to say to you." Darby muttered, followed by a low growl."I just have to bring you down!"

"How self-righteous of you." Satoshi sighed, folding his arms."That's what all heroes think. They point their fingers and call someone a villain. Then they take the glory and increase their status. I guess no one ever learned from the Hero Killer Stain. Regardless, all of these crimes are just a consequence of Quirks. Your friend's deaths as well."

"Now you're trying to justify it?!" Darby hissed, clenching his fists.

"No. I'm trying to explain it." Satoshi corrected, wagging his finger."I wouldn't sink so low to call my actions noble or good. I know what I've done and I know the lives I've ruined. But they are mere sacrifices for a greater cause, Nishikawi. I could kill a hundred more people just for the sake of my goal and I still wouldn't bat an eye. Because in the end game, my plan will save the most people."

"You keep saying that Quirks are the cause of all the world misfortune." Darby stared him down with contempt."But if that's the case, you're just increasing the amount of suffering there is in this world. It's just counterproductive if anything!"

Satoshi let out a heartily laugh, holding his sides."Yeah, I guess that's true. I've thought about that several times. I guess it seems extreme. I'm surprised you understand the concept of all-evil, though. Yes. This world is bound to have evil. Everyone one of us in essentially evil as well. It just depends on your life experiences whether you'll let that darkness overtake you or you keep it at bay. For me...I guess you could say it overtook me. I used to be a regular child, as far as the word normal goes. I can't say I remember much. When my father abandoned me, my mother and I had to live on the streets. As I mentioned, I was a bastard child, all because my Quirk wasn't appropriate to carry our family's legacy. It's just that simple to destroy someone's life. Society judges you based on your Quirk, after all."

"You mentioned that...but...you can't just have become this way simply because your dad was an asshole to you. A classmate of mine, Shoto Todoroki, was also in a similar situation as yours. And he never once had dark thoughts such as you!"

"Oh, I think you misunderstand." Satoshi clicked his tongue."I said before that I didn't become this way because of my father. Rather, I blame the family itself."

"The whole family...?" Darby repeated.

"When I said I used to be like you, I wasn't lying. When I was young, I was so optimistic about everything. My mom raised me to be true to myself and to be honest with others and they will return the favor. Kindness is appreciated in a world full of selfishness, or so they say. That's why my mother never tried to expose my father for abandoning us. She could have easily gone to the media. Imagine how a Pro Hero of his caliber would have his reputation declining after being exposed of abandoning his child and lover simply because the kid didn't have the right Quirk. But even then, my mom never did. Not even after finding out my father got married again and had a new child...Ayushi. I..."

He lowered his gaze, a small smile on his face."I honestly felt bad for her at the time. She was going down the same route as I was. Not knowing where your fate is taking you even though you have no concept of it at such a young age. It can be quite a terrifying thing when you look back at it in the future. But not everything was bad. A local circus..."

He paused, frowning and taking a deep breath."A local circus was kind enough to admit us and employ us. My mother was one of the cleaning ladies, while I was performing. My mom had the same Quirk as I, though at a smaller scale. So I was easily adaptable and skillful out on stage. I got acquainted with one of the stars, Erika. She was older than me by four years, so she was in charge of training me. It was the happiest five years of my life. Everything was so perfect. I had long accustomed to my new life and so did my mother. We were happy there."

Darby blinked slowly, taken back by the genuine smile on Satoshi's lips.'I guess when you put his psychotic tendencies and all the stuff he's done...he's really no different from a regular person.'

"But that's when it happened." His smile was replaced with a frown. A frown that told many tales. The pure rage in his eyes was evident."Golden Week was always a pretty busy time for us. So when it was over, we held a party to celebrate a successful week of work. We had drinks, food, entertainment. We sat around a campfire, telling stories, singing songs. Just having a good time, like usual. But...who would have ever thought that a joyous time would turn into a nightmare. It all started when one of the young kids fell down the roof of one of the caravans. A whole going cleanly through his right eye."

Satoshi passed a hand through his hair as if he were trying to ease himself."Soon enough there were countless hooded men coming out of everywhere. Corpses began piling up and the blood formed puddles and stained the walls. The screams of horror and agony were deafening. I can still hear them. Whoever could fight, fought valiantly. But the result was always the same. I watched many people I held dear died in front of my eyes. People who took care of me, who taught me, who gave me a chance. They all died protecting us, the ones who were too weak to protect themselves. I had to watch my mom die while hiding me and Erika from them. Crimson neon...even redder than my father's, pierced through her chest. I watched her be torture to death, shot in various places by that damn red neon. Erika gave up her life to save me...and even though I tried to help, I was no match for him...my Grandfather."

"Your grandfather?!" Darby cried out."What are you saying?! You're saying it was your grandfather who orchestrated that horrible thing?!"

"Family is not always going to be on your side, Nishikawi. I found out that my Grandfather did all of that because he was paranoid that my mother and I were going to expose them and ruin them. So he orchestrated a slaughter, just to silence us. But I survived. Erika gave her life...so that I could live. The neon blade pierced her throat, nearly went through my head, but due to our height difference, I was spared. But Terunosuke thought I died. I lost everything I held dear because of a family obsessed with a Quirk. And because we believe in honesty, thinking it would lead us to a good path. Fuck honesty. Fuck the truth. I learned that what really matters in this world, are lies. In this world where people are anything but just, lies are what make our society. No one gives a damn whether someone is honest or not."

He glared at Darby, causing him to flinch."You said you fight for the truth, no? What is so good in that? People try believing in the truth and what it entails, but soon realize the disappointment that is reality. And what do they have after that? They have no choice but to live the rest of their lives in disappointment. On the other hand, isn't it better to believe in a lie? If you believe in a lie, you will never feel the pain that is the harsh truth. You'll live your life in an eternal abyss of ignorance. That is why I abandoned my name, Satoshi Kachidoki, and became Teema and The Baron. I became someone that I was not. I hid behind a mask to avoid the truth that is me. And now, I can easily make everything so much easier for everyone. With the Crown and the Quirk Erasing Bullets, the Shie Hassaikai can take the reigns of this world and get rid of the Quirks that have ruined so many lives. With that in mind, why do you still fight? Just relax and accept your dead. You are the only one that is still alive. Just be glad that your family and friends will live a fulfilling life free of chains. And that future generations will grow in a clean world, without ever needing to suffer the same way I did."

"I understand." Darby said, a sad smile on his face."I understand what you've said. I...never thought of it that way. How unfortunate some people are because of their heritage. Not only that, it's true that this society judges too much based on the type of Quirk they have. If they don't see heroic enough, they move on to the next person. But, whether someone lets that be the factor that dictates their lives or whether they fight against their fate and work their way around their obstacles, is up to them. I sympathize with you. I really do. But you never had any moral high ground over me. I will never forgive you for what you've done. And I won't let your selfish plans come to fruition. Quirks are what make heroes save people. Without Quirks, many people wouldn't be alive today. You can't think of everything so negatively. I see the glass half full. Maybe because I'm still inexperienced and I'm a child. But I know I have to put a stop to you. My friends trusted me and put their faith in me. I won't let them down."

He closed his eyes, remembering all of his teammates with him at the beginning of the raid. His memories went by as if they were a slideshow. All of them fighting against Goliath, to standing in front of the remaining Sins. To each of his friends falling, fighting until the end for the rest to keep marching forth. A tender smile graced his lips."If we were to live in a world where only lies, then we wouldn't be able to see what's beyond them. The beautiful truth that is a human being."

Scowling at his words, the Sin of Wrath clenched his fists."Then I guess I have no more words for you." Satoshi shrugged."The only path left for you...is death. Let the Crown choose who is more worthy. Me or you. Whoever gets it, will be the winner of this fight."

Darby, ignoring him, lined two spheres in front of each other. He hit the one in the front, using the gravitational force to pull him upwards. But he didn't go too far, since Satoshi's speed far exceeds his, kicking him into a pillar. He thanked whatever God there was that the pillars had stairs in them, and began running up one of them.

Satoshi cursed under his breath. Little pest was taking advantage that he just couldn't blast the pillar off along with him. He shot himself n the air, landing on the opposite pillar and firing a volley of neon bullets at him. Darby created multiple Black Umbrellas as he ran, hearing them shatter behind him upon each bullet shot. He also felt how some of them were piercing through his body. His left arm was looking like sweese cheese and his leg had been shot clean through, slowing him down. He was losing a lot of blood and this wasn't making things better.

Jumping on a Black Disk, Darby flew over to where the Crown was. He felt his disk breaking under him, but he was close enough to grab a hold of the throne where the Crown was on. He lifted himself with his good arm. Upon closer inspection, he took note that the crown looked like a regular crown that a king would wear. It was made out of gold, and it was decorated with colorful stones around it. What was most odd about it were the three empty spaces in which he presumed the stones he had would need to go in.

Without anything to lose, Darby grabbed an end of the crown while Satoshi, who had caught up to him, grabbed the other end. The crown began to shine along with the stones embedded into it. A gust of wind was formed and threatened to throw them both to the abyss.

"I'm the one who is worthy!" Satoshi screamed, holding out Ayushi's neon stone and inserting it in the hole as did Darby. The pressure increased but both of them were not letting go. The Crown was shaking the whole room and letting out a blinding light."I lost everything! Only I can fix everything! I can end the pain of everyone who suffers because of a gift they didn't ask for!"

"You call this whole shit worthy?!" Darby spat, grabbing onto dear life to the crown. His wounds were bleeding purposely, and he felt lightheaded. His fingers were losing strength and felt himself slowly losing his grip."You murdered countless people for your plan to rule over the powerless...You killed my master, my friends...and you call that justice?! You don't care about justice...You're doing this because you're a selfish piece of shit who can't let go of the past and accept the truth! You're not some sort of savior! You're a fucking psychotic mass murderer!"

Satoshi grimaced, having enough of the boy in front of him."Null Inertia!"

The force of gravity plus the pressure the Crown was exerting sent them both flying away from it. Darby rolled down the stairs while Satoshi fell straight to the ground. The crown was falling as well, rolling on the stairs before running out of room and going over the void.

"It's mine!" Satoshi blasted himself over to the crown, only to have it kicked to the ceiling by Darby."Do you really think that's going to help you? Just stay down! How many times do I have to bring you down until you stay dead? Give up!"

Without another word, Satoshi placed his hand on Darby's chest and blasted him back to the ground. Before he got too far away, Darby sent his three Black Spheres at him, forcing him to touch them and using his Null Inertia, scattering them around.

"Victory is so close, I can taste it." Satoshi grinned widely, indulging himself in euphoria. He landed on the ground, raising his hand in the air."Now, come to your true owner! Give me the power I desire to change this world!"

The Crown began floating from the set of stairs it was on, heading over to his direction.

"Only the one truly worthy of its power can wield it." Satoshi cackled."Now, just rest. My beloved family...your sacrifices will not be in vain..."

However, that moment never came. The Crown went over his head, barely gracing his fingertips. His heart sank, his eyes widening in disbelief. Fearing for the worst, he turned around sharply and coming to a dreadful sight. Darby was holding the Crown in his hand, barely standing up as his wounds kept bleeding. His eyes were spaced out as if his body was moving on instinct and the adrenaline it had left.

"Impossible...He can't be chosen. He's not even a Kachidoki! This is a fluke! Come back to me!" Satoshi held his arm out, trying to force the Crown to obey him. When it didn't, he seething in anger."Fine then! I have to leave no obstacles behind, right? This must be a test. If that's the case, I'll do it!"

Using neon to propel himself in the air, Satoshi rose his hand, creating a ring of neon which began taking the form of a bow."Ultima Bow!"

Once he had his bow ready, he began concentrating his neon in his right arm, powering up even further. The room was tinted in purple and magenta electricity sparked in the air. Satoshi screamed, manipulating his neon and giving it the shape of an arrow."Apollo's Arrow!"

"Darby Nishikawi...you fought bravely to the bitter end...but you must die. This is my most powerful attack. Even if the Crown accepted you, it doesn't mean you are able to use it. You aren't a Kachidoki. You are just a pest that amounts to nothing. Disappear!"

Darby observed at the blinding light above him, his face not showing any emotion as he grabbed the Crown with both hands and slowly began to put it on his head."It's you who won't get his wish realized..."

The arrow impacted, creating a huge spiral of energy that disintegrated everything in its path. The arrow left a path of devastation =that even destroyed the whole wall and continued for several meters.

"It's over." Satoshi lowered his bow, landing on the ground."Damn...Now I have to search for the Crown. I aimed specifically for his body, so other than the explosion, it shouldn't have received much damage. But...No, I can't think of that right now. It has to be intact. It's what I need in order to get rid of them. Once I do, there will be nothing standing in my way and Overhaul's. I-"

He stopped dead in his tracks, his body refusing to take another step forward. He felt it, almost inside of his chest. The tremendous shift in temperature in the air. Every part of his body screamed to run and his fight or flight instincts begged him to flight. He swallowed the lump in his throat, forcing his head to look over his shoulder. He heard the sound of shuffling, but not precisely behind him. He glanced up, his eyes dilating at the sight.

A white-haired young man floated above him, looking down at him with an impassive expression on his face. He was wearing a white sweater with black stripes going horizontally under a white robe with black flames. He also had black cargo pants and a headband around his head. There was a white-sparkling aura surrounding him, and the most noticeable thing was his golden eyes.

"What am I looking at...right now?" Satoshi watched in awe as the figure continue standing above him, staring him down."An illusion...it has to be an illusion. Yes, that's it. He must be playing tricks on me." He rubbed his eyes, shaking his head while taking a deep breath. Once he opened them he was met with the gaze of a white flash. He didn't see it coming, but he felt a punch to the chest that sent him crashing against a wall.

"What the?!" Satoshi stood up, bewildered at the turn of events.

Darby took a deep breath, grabbing the crown on his head and adjusting it."Get comfortable on the floor. Starting from now, that'll be the only place you'll be finding yourself on."

And so, the final turning point of this arc begins. To be honest, I've been thinking of getting to this fight for a long time now, since around chapter 20. I'm happy to see that the story has made it this far. How is Darby able to wield the power of the crown? What was that weird form he had during his short fight against Satoshi? Stay tuned to know all these answers in the next chapter!