Justice Erased

by TheImmortalHeretic

Twelve years after inheriting All Might's Quirk, Izuku fully takes on the mantle of becoming the next Symbol of Peace. But an old evil thought dead has returned with a vengeance. With most faith in heroes gone and the Symbol of Peace in danger, how can Izuku rally a shattered world to fight Shigaraki for the last time? Possible manga spoilers. Future AU.

9. Chapter 9: The Second Jakku Incident Pt3

IIII

Chapter 9: The Second Jakku Incident Part Three

IIII

"And release," Monama spoke loudly and confidently. His voice echoed substantially in the large space of U.A's training facility. The gym felt even larger than it was, a space meant to hold several hundred students was being used to only train one.

"456," Eri spoke between her rapid breathing as she released her quirk, focusing her power on the target ahead. It was a simple repetition exercise, whereby a few inanimate objects were used as practice for her rewind quirk. Simple things like fruit, lizards, and insects that her quirk could affect. It was a tedious exercise, but it was an invaluable one; helping her to focus the usage of her quirk, and learn to control its potency and output.

"Good. You're getting better at this," Monama clapped with a wide smile.

"Thanks," Eri took a brief moment to regather her senses, wiping the sweat off her brow. She was only wearing a dark blue tank top and a pair of grey gym shorts, a modified Summer uniform for U.A that she'd chosen out of comfort and less out of seasonal concerns. Despite the fact that it was the middle of Winter her training had still worked up a sweat, although she reasoned half of that was a product of anxiety not weather.

"We'll do a few more reps and then call it here," he said, stretching his arms out in a wide sweeping motion.

"Already? Usually I do twice this much with Mr. Aizawa."

"It's fine, save your strength, you'll need it for what's next," Monama smiled.

Eri shot him a perplexed look, before nodding and returning her focus to her work. Whatever it is, I'll give it my all!

Half an hour passed between the rapid motion of stances and the on and off activation of her quirk. The process becoming second nature, almost instinctive, the muscle memory of not just her body, but her accumulated power as well.

"Are we...done...now?" Eri's words came out slowly, trailed by gasps for air.

"Almost, follow me," Monama beckoned, leading her with a warm gesture.

The two parted the large gym under a trail of corridors, leaving the dome-like expanse for the cramped conditions of the hallways intersected by automated doors. It was eerie without students, the campus felt lifeless, but at least it was only a temporary change. Once Winter came to a close along with vacations for Christmas things would go back to normal, and hopefully things in the outside world would do the same.

Eri spoke up, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Monama replied with a wide smile. "I'd hate to spoil the surprise."

Ahead of them was a large set of doors dwarfed by a partitioning bulkhead, above it was a sign that read: Advanced Training Room.

Eri's heart fluttered, Is this what I think it is? Her exhaustion began to turn into excitement.

The doors opened sliding out of sight to reveal an even larger room than before. It was a hollow cavern of concrete and steel, surrounded by a host of fixtures, and supporting structures. At the center of the space was a raised platform, slightly bigger than a football field in both width and length. The platform itself was a bright blue in color, with it's floor covered in a hexagonal pattern of white dividing lines.

To the sides of it all were dugouts caged behind the safety of nets, steel chains, and tempered glass. Sporting sets of benches, water fountains, and T.V's for weary spectators to enjoy. They were empty of course, but Eri couldn't help but try to imagine how alive they could've become during actual training sessions.

"This is U.A's latest sparring chamber, it's perfect for simulating small scale combat," Monama spread his arms in wide motion emphasizing the scale of the building. "I got permission from Aizawa Sensei to use these quarters if I thought you were ready for it."

"Combat training?!" Eri could hardly contain herself. "This is what I've always wanted!"

"Are you sure about all of this?" she asked, with a tone of concern. "I mean, don't I need to train more?"

"This is training more," Monama chuckled. "Asides, how can you be a hero without knowing how to handle yourself in a fight?"

It wasn't that Eri wanted to argue against it, she was all for it, but her training had been defined by the words 'you're not ready yet'. Countless hours repeating basic motions and committing them all to unconscious memory. "But I thought you said earlier the point of my training wasn't to get stronger?"

"Correct," Monama leaned closer towards her, and flicked her horn. "That's why the focus of today's sparring won't be your strength."

"Hmm?"

"It'll be more like an exercise in creativity and control," Monama explained. "Oftentimes combat is about more than just raw power, you have to be able to control your quirk in a way that fits the given situation."

That's why you had me practice for so long on the basics, to learn control, she thought to herself. Eri nodded with determination, "Right, so how is this going to work? My quirk only works on living things." Her attention was drawn to the rows of idle sparring robots in the far corner of the sparring chamber. They came in all shapes and sizes, some were visibly older than others with sets of scars and damage markings to indicate their age.

Monama smiled, "Oh? You'll be fighting me of course."

…..

"Are you sure this is safe?" Eri nervously glanced at her equipment. She was wearing a set of protective gear, standard issue for the sparring ring, a red padded helmet with a matching visor to protect her eyes. In addition to a set of shoulder, knee, and elbow pads for added protection against impacts and accidents.

"Of course," Monama assured her as he adjusted his blue helmet to fit. "Remember, I copied Aizawa's quirk so if anything bad happens I can stop the match."

She nodded quietly, That's reassuring…Eri thought. What if something….no don't worry about that, just do your best. Her determination returned along with her focus. Everyone is counting on you to get stronger.

"We'll structure this like a mock provisional license exam," Monama spoke, directing her attention to the three target pads he had placed on his body. One at his left thigh, right shoulder, and torso with a bright orange glow to contraste the color of his armor. "The rules are simple, just place these three targets anywhere exposed on your body."

She did as directed, taking three matching targets as he handed them to her. Taking great care to spread them out accordingly, Errr, where should these go?

"Once we've started, all you'll have to do is strike each target with one of these," Monoma held out his hand, within his palm was a bright orange ball no larger than a baseball. "If all of the targets are struck, that's the end of the round." He pressed one of the balls against the target pad for good measure, showing her how the display would flash red if struck.

"Got it," Eri nodded.

"Great," Monama turned his attention to the sparring ring. "Now all we have to do is set up the ring." He motioned his hands over a small console at the edge of the platform; it was positioned just at the foot of the ring, in front of a line of steps leading to the top of the platform's base.

Tapping a few keys on the console he spoke, "Back in the day we had one of the teachers, Cementoss, make most of the obstacles for us. But he's retired now." The display flashed as he tapped the enter key on the pad, a brief moment passed before the machinery above and around them responded.

"Nowadays we have computers like this that generate stuff accordingly, with enough attention to detail we could simulate all sorts of stuff; weather, search and rescue, you name it." Monama explained. "But for now a simple set up will do."

"Woah," Eri watched in amazement as a series of small cranes and hidden drones buzzed into place. Setting down rocks, assorted barriers of metal, and other oddities to make the ring more dynamic.

"Guess we can get started now," Monama smiled as he climbed the steps to the arena.

Eri took her place on the other side of the platform, it was far enough away to where she could no longer hear her instructor in person, some three hundred and sixty feet away. Instead, the built-in earpiece at the side of her safety helmet allowed her to hear any of Monama's instructions.

Her heart began to race with both excitement and anxiety. It wasn't the first time she'd been exposed to fighting, after all Eri had been involved with heroes ever since she was little, but she'd never done anything like this before. Training on this scale had never been offered before on account of her unique condition and upbringing; there was an unnerving uncertainty in it all, but she was determined to face the new experience nonetheless.

"Once the buzzer rings we'll start. And remember to take it easy, we're not trying to kill each other," he chuckled over the long distance comms.

"I'll try my best," she replied, assuming a defensive stance, arms poised at the ready.

…..

"That was good Eri, you almost had me," Monama patted her on the back as the two left the sparring platform. Dozens of service drones and cranes were hard at work cleaning up the mess left behind. Filling the large training hall with the sounds of their automated locomotion and droning humms.

Eri tried to catch her breath, taking off her sparring helmet so she could breathe easier. She was exhausted, and a little disappointed she'd been beaten. "You're full of surprises."

"So are you," he chuckled. "You used your quirk pretty creatively back there. I'm proud of you."

Proud. Eri liked the sound of that. It was good to hear someone say that other than her guardians.

"At this rate you'll be ready in no time at all," Monama explained. "And you were great at controlling your quirk."

Eri smiled, "You didn't even have to use Mr. Aizawa's quirk. That was new for me, I'm so used to always having him stop my quirk."

Monama turned to face her fully. "Want to know a secret?"

Eri perked her head up, raising her brow in curiosity, "Um sure?"

"I never copied Aizawa's quirk," Monama whispered.

Eri's heart stopped, "Are you serious? What if something happened?!"

"Shhhhhh," Monama insisted. "You're missing the point here. Think, you managed to train all day, including combat training, without needing someone to help you control your quirk."

The realization hit her. Eri felt something creep up on her she hadn't felt in a long time. Confidence. The realization that she was capable of managing herself, despite the constant worries other people had around her.

Tears started to form around her eyes.

"I hope this convinced you, Eri," Monama smiled at her. "You can become a hero."

Eri wrapped her arms around him, and gave him a tight hug. "Thank you so much. Thank you so much for believing in me." The feeling was overwhelming. "I know we barely know each other, but it means a lot."

She perked up, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Whose idea was this?"

Monama stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Well, err. It was mine. Don't tell Aizawa about this, I'm not sure he'd approve."

Eri smiled, and punched him in the arm lightly. "Don't worry I won't."

Removing their training gear, the two exited the training facility from the way they had entered. Under the weight of the large steel bulkheads and narrow corridors.

"Great!" Monama smiled, and flicked Eri's horn. "Let's get some lunch then, I'm sure you're starving."

…..

"Woah!" Kaminari shouted. "Can't we fly a little higher?!" They were dangerously close to the line of buildings below them. Rapidly passing them by in a blur of frantic motion.

"Dark Shadow isn't used to carrying two people," Tokoyomi replied, focusing on the path ahead.

Above them was the large shadow of Tokoyami's quirk, Dark Shadow, a monster of sorts made of pure darkness. The shadow stretched out and around them, shielded from the light by a large cape, in the shape of a pair of bat-like wings. Below it, both Tokoyami and Kaminari were held within its large tendrils, hanging just above the street below them.

"Besides, it's harder for Gigantomachia to see us if we fly closer to the ground," Tokoyami was calm despite the snap turns and sharp motions. Bobbing and weaving in and around obstacles as they came up at breakneck speeds.

"Just get me to the station in one piece please!" Kaminari held on for dear life, flinching and reeling as they passed traffic lights, telephone poles, and a myriad of other obstacles.

His plan was straightforward, redirect the city ward's power supply directly at the fast approaching Gigantomachia. He's tough, but not invincible, Kaminari thought. I just need to hit him hard enough. If hundreds of attacks from dozens of heroes proved to be ineffective, then they would need something stronger. A knockout blow to throw the giant off of his feet, or at the very least something to force him to turn around.

"There's just one thing that bothers me about this," Tokoyami said, as they neared the power station. Rows of cables and wires strung above the city in all directions; fed by dozens of idle generators and transformers. "We can't risk an indiscriminate blast, not this close to a civilian center anyways."

"Right. I'll use my precision amplifiers, we'll just have to get closer," Kaminari tried to shake his fears away.

"How close?"

"The more volts I produce the harder it is to focus my quirk," Kaminari cursed under his breath, realizing just how dangerous this mission was about to become. "With the amount of volts I'll be discharging, probably less than ten meters."

"I see," Tokayami nodded with unease. "I'll do what I can then."

Kaminari glanced back at the distant giant, back at the smoke and debris clouds. Then he looked forward, out past the idle suburbs and city blocks. Gritting his teeth, he renewed his determination, whatever happens, we can't lose here.

…..

Yaoyorozu brushed small bits of debris off her costume, a red uniform that covered mostly her chest and lower abdomen. Exposing parts of her arms and lower body to accommodate her quirk while maintaining a light and mobile profile.

She glanced from side to side, checking her surroundings. Looks clear at the moment, where are the others? She turned around, towards the sounds of distant battle. Past the shattered monument of the Jakku ward there was a low rumbling, rhythmic in it's ferocity.

Katsuki...but how many others? She thought, analyzing the situation as she clambered over the steep slope of the crater.

On her back was the number two hero, Shoto. She'd carried him up the side of the large crater, figuring it better to take him with her to safety. Somewhere far from the active site of battle. I'm not leaving you behind.

Yaoyorozu grunted, trying to ease up her muscles. Shoto was heavy, and it had taken a considerable toll on her to lift him this far. She sighed, "If only Uravity were here."

She chimed her earpiece again. Testing it to see if the comms were back online. "Is anyone else there, this is Creati, I'm in need of urgent medical care!" The only reply was empty static.

She shook her head, If only anyone was here. As far she could tell, the only heroes on scene could be counted on her fingers. Her heart wavered, but she held her doubts at bay. All we need is time. Sooner or later everyone will surround the ward.

Trotting forwards at a slow pace, her footsteps moved to the beat of the distant blasts. There were flashes of light and sound behind her. As unnerving as they were, making her jolt with their sudden intensity, Yaoyorozu tried to pay them little attention. Turning her focus to the life she was trying to save, rather than the warzone behind her.

Shoto, Katsuki...the names of the greatest heroes echoed around in her head. Where's Izuku?

She'd heard the news before. That the country's number one hero was on some special assignment far from home. She found it hard to believe, What could be more important than being here?

Yaoyorozu shook her head. Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe there's some greater plan. Her heart stopped, the creeping dread returned with a vengeance. Unless…She turned to Shoto. His wounds unnerved her.

"No, I won't think about that," she said to herself, doubling down on her pace. "I'm not losing anyone. And there's still hope for us."

They'd reached the distant lines of office buildings adjacent to the memorial. The ones ahead of them were left mostly untouched by the battle on the opposite end of the complex. Although, they still held a haunting appearance. So empty, and idle.

If I can get him past this block, past the ward, Shoto should be safe. She bit her lip, he's a priority target, so I have to keep him as far from harm as possible.

Her ears perked. She paused her movements. The distant blasts behind her had stopped. The rolling thunder was replaced by a sort of cold silence that seeped into the air itself, and everything around it. Her heart sped up. Almost as if her body was telling her to move on its own.

Yaoyorozu bolted down the street. Breaking her slow strides for a frantic dash towards the nearest building. That can't be good!

She could feel the air move around her. Pushing and pulling. She could see the trees and plants lining the city streets flex their branches towards a single direction. Someone's coming.

Dashing behind the cover of a nearby alley, she hoisted Shoto over her shoulders. Trying to pick her pace up as much as possible. We can't outrun them, not with him in this condition. Yaoyorozu glanced over his condition, making sure his bleeding hadn't resumed.

Think Momo! Think!

….

"Go! Get to safety!" Kirshima's voice was booming amidst the ruins of the surrounding buildings. There were still dozens of people that needed to be guided out from what was left of the ward. "Red Riot Unbreakable!"

Injured office workers, pedestrians, and others were all looking to him for guidance. Albeit his ghastly appearance with his hardening form wasn't much of an inspiring sight. The unbreakable form of his quirk shifting his muscles and skin into a series of plates, ridges, and other sharply defined angles that made him seem less human.

He scanned his surroundings for signs of movement, looks like I got everyone I could. Kirshima could hear the structure above begin to creak. Damaged beyond repair it started to collapse.

"Watch out!" Kirishima surged forward, pushing the civilians out of the path of the oncoming debris.

The whole structure collapsed directly onto him, several large beams collided with the crimson hero with a loud crash. There were gasps and shouts of horror from the civilians. But as the dust began to settle, Red Riot raised a triumphant fist. Pushing aside the weight of the steel beams as he clambered towards them. Not a scratch or wound anywhere on his body.

"This sector's clear Gale Force!" Kirishima chimed into his earpiece, as he guided the survivors to the safety of the city alleyways.

He was barely audible over the large gusts of wind sweeping through the streets, "Then we've done our part passionately!" Inasa shouted. "All we have to do is buy time for the others."

Kirshima nodded, taking notice of the large movements of air and dust around him. It seemed as if the whole city had come to life with the passing turbulence. Every street, every corner, and every avenue of approach shot past him with tremendous force and energy all gathered on a single distant approach.

The figure of Inasa was at the center of it all, hovering above the ruined city ward. "Indomitable Whirlwind: Passionate Gusts!" With outstretched hands he commanded the gale to surge forward. With the force of a small hurricane a large tornado crashed straight into the bulk of Gigantomachia. Throwing the giant off balance into a set of buildings just out of sight.

"Arrrgh!" Gigantomachia roared in defiance. "No good! No good!"

Come on Kaminari, Kishima thought to himself as he watched the battle unfold. I hope this plan works.

….

He set his eyes on the sunken crater. It was caked in dust and soot. "Where are they?" Shigaraki muttered to himself. His voice was as coarse and dry as the surrounding landscape.

No sign of either of them...he sighed. "Dammit Dabi."

Shigaraki was high above the sight of the large blast crater. A hole bored straight from the depths of the Jakku holding facility, Gigantomachia's prison, all the way to the surface. It was an impressive display. A sign of power he hadn't witnessed since his duel with Endeavor several years prior.

His eyes were bolstered by three separate vision enhancing quirks. They were like an eagle's, with depth and perception affording him limitless clarity of the ruins beneath him. But further enhanced to show infrared, heat waves, and even x-rays at shorter distances.

Hovering above the ruins of the ward, Shigaraki didn't need to close distance to tell that the number two hero had vanished. Retreating? he speculated, scratching his neck. Dabi's gone too.

"My radio wave quirk is active, no use contacting Dabi unless I want the heroes to communicate again," Shigaraki muttered. It was a double edged sword blocking his enemy's means of communication, it meant that his own team was left just as blind.

"Hmmm," he turned his gaze to the streets beyond the overlook. "But why didn't he move to link up with the others."

Shigaraki smiled, Unless the final boss is low on HP. He could see a line through the dirt and rubble that traced up the side of the crater. Almost as if something, or someone, was dragged along its length.

He thundered forward, combining his air walk quirk with his air cannons to generate tremendous propulsion. The city was dead and deserted. Although the buildings were largely unscathed, not a single person was in sight. The horde of panicked civilians spirited away far from the site of battle. It didn't concern him though. Shigaraki wasn't here for body counts, he was here to gather strength and prove a point.

"Dabi is strong, we can wait to regroup," he considered his options, how complete the mission had become. For now it's just me and Shoto.

The ward itself was a large urban district, centered around a vast plaza of administrative office buildings and other structures. There were hundreds of potential hiding places scattered across a dense jungle of glass and steel.

Wherever he is, he couldn't have gone far, He thought back to footage of the number two hero in action. How fast he could move using his bright flames to propel him, If he used his quirk to get away it would be visible. He's somewhere near, he has to be.

"I haven't used this quirk yet," he muttered, cycling through his mutations. "Might as well give it a try."

Echo locate, vocal enhancers x2, and howl for good measure. Curling his lips, Shigaraki lurched forward poised high above the city streets. An ear piercing shriek followed, loud enough to vibrate the surrounding air itself. A banshee-like scream that shattered every single window it passed through.

Shigaraki paused, waiting for the sound waves to run their course. Minutia of auditory details flooded back to his enhanced senses, providing him with a full mental map of the surrounding area. Good. He motioned forward, lowering himself toward the street. Shrieking again. And again. As he inched forward trying to locate his prey.

He snapped his head around, perking his ears up as he did so. "Found you," he smiled. "And it looks like you're alone."

Twisting his body around, he thundered forward in an inhuman jolt of motion. Crashing through low walls, and shattered windows as he approached the target he sensed.

The banshee scream repeated, more guttural this time. They're flinching, he could see their movements, as the sound waves traveled back and forth. It didn't matter if he couldn't physically see them, the bat-like quirk providing a full mental image of everything within earshot.

"A parking garage?" he brought himself to halt, assessing his surroundings. It was the second floor of the lot, with rows of cars positioned idle along its length.

And then he saw the hero, "Hmph, you're not Shoto." He said, staring down at the woman in crimson before him.

…..

Kaminari could feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest. This should be good, he ran a last set of glances over the setup. A series of long range conductors that were synced to his own amplifier discs, scattered about at several intervals along the station. Each generator had a conductor at it's side that would be able to channel it's electrical output straight to his chosen amplifier. All Kaminari would have to do is press a button on his left gauntlet, a master switch for his support gear, and the discharge from the station would flow towards whatever target he chose. Assuming he could get into range…

He shook his head, "Wow. Just wow."

Tokoyami shot him a look of concern, "Is something wrong?"

Kaminari smiled, "Oh nothing, nothing's wrong. I just have to redirect a few billion volts of electricity at a target the size of a frisbee."

It would be a quick in and out motion, he rationalized to himself. The flow of electricity passing through the amplifiers before he would even realize it. It'll be fine, he thought, trying to reassure himself.

"I think the plan will work," Tokoyami explained bluntly.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Kaminari sighed. Every bit of reassuring words helped, but it couldn't shake the feeling of unease in his heart. He couldn't help but feel that this was out of his league, a task for one of the top three heroes to accomplish. Not someone who was barely in the top thirty on the hero billboard rankings.

"At the very least, it should buy time for the others to get here," Tokoyami explained, his cold eyes focused on the distant battle ahead of them.

Kaminari nodded, "We shouldn't keep Red Riot and Gale Force waiting." He took a deep breath, and exhaled loudly. Right, let's get this over with!

He made a set of final adjustments to his gauntlet, checking the datapad and other control features were in working order. Kaminari gave a weak smile, and thumbs up, "I'm ready if you are."

Tokoyami nodded and in a flash they were off. Ferried away in the large arms of Dark Shadow through a haze of smoke and dust. They made sure to keep a low angle of approach, using the rows of buildings to block line of sight between them and the towering giant. Their only sense of direction guided by the sounds of battle, and Gigantomachia's own bellowing voice.

Kaminari chimed his earpiece, hoping the comms were back online. "Can anyone hear me?"

There was no reply.

"Gale Force, Red Riot, do you copy?!" Kaminari's worries grew. Separated from the main group, and without any form of communication, he had no idea what condition his friends were in.

"Relax, they'll be fine," Tokoyami said, his voice was grim and brooding as usual.

Kaminari objected, "How can you be so sure?"

"They both have unbreakable spirits."

…..

Kirishima grunted as the blow struck his guard, his rock solid arms taking the brunt of Gigantomachia's attack. He tried to hold his footing as best as he could. Digging his stance into the twisted concrete below him as each blow shifted him further back.

Anytime now would be great, he grimaced.

"This guy doesn't let up!" Kirishima shouted, in between the rapid swings of the giant's arms.

"Watch out!" Inasa chimed, swooping in to catch Red Riot before he was crushed by a collapsing building. The whirlwind carried them both away as Gigantomachia laughed.

"Weak! Too weak!" the giant beat its chest.

At least we've managed to contain him here, Kirishima eyed the surrounding urban district. The north side of the ward had been almost completely leveled by Gigantomachia's efforts. Reduced to nothing but twisted concrete, steel, and dust. 'A single change of course and the damage...'

Kirishima shook his head at the mere thought.

"Thanks," Kirishima rose to his feet. "We just need to hold his attention for a bit longer."

Inasa nodded, taking deep breaths to regather his stamina. His large coat was caked with dust and debris. "Such incredible stamina and power."

"Yeah, after all of that's happened he hasn't slowed down one bit," Kirishima locked his gaze on the lumbering figure of Gigantomachia. How relentless it seemed, how overwhelming his stature and figure were.

As terrifying as it was. And haunting as the memories of the past were. He stared on with renewed determination, knowing that there was no other option but to stand his ground.

There was a flash of motion to his right. A set of shadows moving at tremendous speeds. Tokoyami! He thought to himself. They're going in!

"Look!" Inasa shouted, pointing at the advancing figure of Dark Shadow.

"We need to cover them somehow, they're heading straight into another attack." With how low they were hovering above the street line, the row of buildings on either side of Dark Shadow blocked all line of sight to their target. A target that was winding up another set of blows…

"Weak! Too Weak!" Gigantomachia shouted, scooping up pieces of the street into his large hands.

Kirishima shouted, "Send me in now!"

Inasa's face tightened, "You won't be able to make it in time, we're too far."

"Just use your strongest whirlwind! If we don't cover them they'll be killed!" Kirishima knew the maneuver would be dangerous, but if anyone could endure it, it would have to be him.

"Very well," Inasa nodded, shifting his stance atop a newly formed whirlwind. "Indomitable Whirlwind: Chivalrous Gale!"

Within moments Kirishima was swept away into the gulf of the emerging tunnel of wind. Gasping as his feet left the ground, a weightless feeling overtaking him, as he surged forward over the city streets. Straight towards the distant roaring giant.

Woah! This is fast, he thought, trying to maintain a fighting stance mid flight. But I'm not going to make it in time!

Gigantomachia was already moving forward, launching a volley of crushed rock and debris from his large palms. Pellets of twisted metal and concrete, the size of stop signs and car doors, scattered out in front of him. As the approaching figure of Dark Shadow passed right into the oncoming attack.

With murderous effect the missiles tore and ripped apart every building and structure in front of them. Structures collapsed under the weight of their damage, and even Kirishima had to hold his guard up, as stray shots grazed and struck his body mid-air.

No! Kirishima cursed under his breath. He could see Dark Shadow, grounded on the broken street. Only a block away from the approaching figure of Gigantomachia. They were hit…

"Dammit!" he roared, doubling down on his courage. All my life, the memory of you has haunted me. He stared at the giant, his heart wavering in wake of his size and ferocity. But I'm putting that to rest today. "Red Riot! Crimson Eruption!"

"Hmph?" Gigantomachia braced as the gale swept towards him.

This is for you Kaminari, make it count! "Aaaaaaaa!" Kirishima bellowed.

Summoning every ounce of effort within himself, Kirishima activated his Quirk to its greatest extent. His muscles, fists, and every part of his body hardened to their limits struck Gigantomachia's forehead at full power.

"Aaargh!" Gigantomachia lurched backwards, the impact of the blow knocking him off balance.

Kirirshima winced, a sharp pain took hold of his senses, as he rebounded towards the city street.

….

He felt dizzy, light headed, and sore beyond belief. Kaminari tried to get a sense of what just happened. We were rounding the street, he rubbed his head. Tokoyami!

He stood up, frantically looking around at his surroundings. It was a large pile of rubble around him, a graveyard of buildings and other structures. He could see Dark Shadow, and Tokoyami, slumped over a bend of rocks and broken glass.

"Tokoyami!" he rushed forward. No, no, no!

Kaminari froze. He could see blood pooling lightly under the cloak of Dark Shadow. The shadows curled and coiled around their master, forming a protective shield around his body.

Dark Shadow seemed much smaller than he was just moments before, his voice too grew meeker, "He's hurt, I can't get him to wake up."

"Oh man!" Kaminari shook his head. "This isn't good!" He placed his hands on Tokoyami's unconscious body, shaking it back and forth with light jolts.

"Come on man! Wake up!" His only reply was a soft groan of pain.

Then there was a low rumbling, a subtle growing vibration in the ground around him. He could hear footsteps slowly approaching. He glanced over his shoulder, and through the dust he could see him, Gigantomachia slowly approaching their position.

He gritted his teeth, We don't have time. He felt his muscles tense. His heart was pounding against his chest. He glanced at Tokoyami, motionless and cold. Then at Gigantomachia, relentless and unstoppable.

"I just need to guide the amps," Kaminari reached for his left gauntlet, drumming the pad to activate his amplifiers and other support items. "Something's not right." The control pad was unresponsive, it's display flickering on and off.

It must've been hit hard by the fall, he swore under his breath, glancing back at the fast approaching giant.

"We're so dead," he shook his head. Caught in the shadow of Gigantomachia the street grew darker. He could feel his limbs begin to tremble. Adrenaline spiked throughout his veins.

Run...run...Kaminari thought. I have to get out of here. He began to turn away, facing towards the other end of the street.

He felt a hand grab his shoulder. Kaminari gasped, his body jolting up.

"We can still do this," it was Kirishima, exhausted and battered. His hardened body was covered in cracks. "We have to."

"You're h-hurt," Kaminari stammered. A large piece of metal was jutting out of his leg, blood was seeping from the large wound.

"Don't worry about it," Kirishima grimaced. "Just focus on what needs to be done."

Kaminari looked on at the approaching giant. How massive he was in comparison to them. How overwhelming he felt to stare down.

"The plan won't work, my amp control is shot," he shook his head, eyes full of regret and fear.

"Hey!" Kirishima placed his hands on both of his friends' shoulders, and shook him. "I know things haven't gone to plan. Hell, we were supposed to hang out today, not fight for our lives."

"What do you mean? No one else is coming, we're screwed!" Kaminari gestured at the approaching giant.

"But that doesn't mean we give up here! It's because no one else is coming that we have to win," Kirishima spoke, biting through the pain in his leg. "Besides, I know you won't leave me here alone."

Kaminari gritted his teeth. "You're right." He reached into his pocket, and drew one of the amplifiers. "Guess we're doing this manually," he gulped.

"I'll draw his attention," Kirishima resumed his defensive stance. Crouching slightly with a bent piece of metal in his leg, while he raised his fists to form a guard. "You got this."

Knowing the circumstances, Kaminari and Kirishima embraced, gripping their hands together and clapping each other on the back proudly. "Thanks man." He wiped away the tears in his eyes, before turning to face the oncoming giant.

They both surged into battle, carried only by their hopes and courage. Shouting a loud battle cry as they hurled themselves down the broken street.

Gigantomachia roared to meet them, "Insects!" he shouted, throwing his fist straight towards their position.

"Go!" Kirishima, shoved his friend to the side. Just before Gigantomachia's fist struck against his guard. The weight of the blow forced him several inches deep into the street. As well as fracturing parts of his hardened body.

Kaminari shouted at the top of his lungs, bounding over rubble and dust. He placed an amp on the giant's wrist, then drew two more amps from his torn pockets. Scattering a few more across Gigantomachia's bare chest and torso with a well timed throw. I need to get closer for this to work!

Gigantomachia laughed, a deep chuckle that vibrated the air around them. He raised his other fist, bracing to pound the hero in front of him into dust.

"Passionate Gust!" it was Inasa, screaming over the outlying buildings on a carpet of wind. His whirlwinds swept over the city street to carry Kaminari out of harm's way.

"Hmph?" the giant's hand crashed into the street regardless, kicking up dust and debris.

Can't see! Kaminari tried to piece his focus back together. If only I could get a little closer. "A little higher please!" he shouted, waving towards Inasa.

The gales swept further, more furiously, pieces of glass and rubble torn into Kaminar's sleeves and hero costume.

Kaminai shouted randomly in panic, the weightless feeling of the tornado beginning to overtake him. Making him dizzy, and disoriented. I'm so dead, I'm so dead!

And then he felt it. Something hard and warm beneath his legs. The soft vibrations, and loud breathing of Gigantomachia. I'm on his head?!

"Weak!" Gigantomachia roared, batting away the whirlwinds with his large palms. "Too weak!"

Kaminari dug his nails and grip into the giant's skull, trying to hold on as the rapid movements threatened to shake him off, yelling in shock as the giant threw him about.

Now! he thought, placing the last amp on the giant's temple. Kaminari took a deep breath, bracing himself for what would be the largest amount of electricity he would ever channel through his quirk.

"Amplified shock: 1 Billion volts!" he clasped his hands together on the small amp, and released his all out discharge. There was a bright flash. He couldn't see his target anymore, but he could feel it, wrapping his grip tighter as he let the power of his quirk flow out and around him.

"Argh!" Gigantomachia reeled.

Kaminari could feel his hands begin to heat up rapidly. The energy discharge overwhelming his hero costume and body. "2 Billion volts!" The flash grew into a bright light, crackling and roaring like thunder itself.

He winced in pain, More! More! Knock him off his feet! "3 Billion Volts!"

Gigantomachia reached for his head, his movements stalled by Inasa's fierce whirlwinds.

Each amp can double the output, try to focus it to them. His hands began to burn, blistering under the intense energy output. "5 Billion!"

His senses began to waver, he could feel his consciousness begin to fade. No not yet! Not until it's over!

Gigantomachia stumbled, and stuttered. His muscles and nerves were unable to respond as his whole body became a conduit. "Heroes…"

"10 Billion Volts!" Kaminari shouted, now the burning sensation was all around his body. A sharp pain igniting his whole set of nerves and senses.

The amount of electricity being released forced his comrades to shield their eyes, the bright arcs were blinding in their intensity; like dozens of small thunderbolts crackling off into space.

He felt the earth slip away from him, along with his body. Suddenly he couldn't feel the low rumbling of the giant, or hear the shouts of battle around him. Only calm easing away into a distant sleep.

….

"Where is he?" Shigaraki asked, staring into the soul of the hero in front of him.

She shook her head, "I'm not telling you." From her side she drew a small metallic cylinder, telescoping it out to reveal a large steel staff.

"You do understand the position you're in?" Shigaraki asked, raising his brow.

Of course I do, Yaoyorozu gritted her teeth. She stood silent, trying to read what her opponent would do next.

"I'm not looking to kill anyone unless I have to," Shigaraki admitted. "My only concern is the top hero."

Yaoyorozu snapped, gripping her staff tightly, "Deku isn't here."

Shigaraki shrugged his shoulders, "Oh? You misunderstand me, Shoto is the number one."

She stared at him with disbelief and hate etched into her black eyes.

"Deku is out of commission, the strongest hero should take his place as the Symbol of Peace," he smiled. "Just like before." He chuckled, "Like father, like son."

Out of commission, she thought. Can I really believe him? She placed little faith in the official story of Izuku's 'special mission', but it was still hard to fathom his words. That the strongest hero in the world was truly gone for good. "You're lying."

"Oh? Then where is Deku if I might ask?"

"Out of the country on a special assignment."

"Is that what they're really telling people?" Shigaraki shook his head. "That's what you've heard? It says a lot about heroes when villains are the ones telling the truth."

He took a few steps forward towards her, placing his ghoulish legs on the ground. "I'll let you know a secret," his smile was a cracked expression. "The Symbol of Peace is dead."

Her heart skipped a beat. "What?" her expression grew more stern.

"I ran my fist through his body, and I watched as they carried him away unconscious," he continued, pursing his lips.

All the details of the Tartarus incident are still being released, she thought, clenching her staff tighter. It's plausible….

"Even if that were true," she tried to steady her breathing. "That won't discourage me." Yaoyorozu bit her lip, "As long as there are people that need saving, I'll always be there for them." She thought of Shoto, battered and wounded, and shook her head.

"I won't stop you from trying," Shigaraki remarked, inching towards her. "But I'll only ask again once, where is Shoto."

Yaoyorozu stood silent, pondering her options.

"I know he couldn't have gone far, you're hiding him aren't you?" Shigaraki lurched forward. She took a few steps back, her eyes trained on the villain in front of her.

I just need to buy time, she thought.

"Why did you attack Tartarus when you did? The League hasn't been active for years," she prodded.

"Call it a family reunion, and on the contrary the League has been alive and well all this time," Shigaraki argued, taking several steps towards her. "There have been some setbacks…" He smiled, "But I couldn't be happier with the results."

She took a few steps back, realizing the overhang was just behind her. She couldn't retreat any further, her back pressed against the open air and low concrete wall.

"You're cool Creati, I don't see the point in killing you," Shigaraki glanced around the idle parking garage looking for any sign of his target. "Eraser Head was like that."

Leaning forward, he let out a high pitched wail, a banshee scream that fanned out around him. Yaoyorozu held her hands to her ears, dropping her staff as the sound became unbearable.

"He's not here," Shigaraki noted.

"No he's not," Yaoyorozu barked, wincing as she recovered from the ear piercing sound. Any minute now, she thought to herself. "And you're not going anywhere." She held out her staff, pointed straight towards Shigaraki.

A flurry of feathers passed over her shoulders and by her eyes. Striking the ghoulish figure of Shigaraki with precise accuracy and effect. Carrying him off towards the nearest set of stone pillars supporting the parking garage.

"Took you long enough," Yaoyorozu spoke over her shoulder. "Is he safe?"

Hawks pulled up alongside her, hovering just above her height below the archway of the large garage. "Sheesh, I've been ferrying wounded people all day, can't I get a break?"

"Is Shoto safe?" she insisted.

"Yeah, should be, dropped him off at the end of the perimeter," he brushed some dirt off of his visor. "I came as fast as I could." Hawks focused his attention on the distant image of Shigaraki. Not again, he thought to himself biting his lip.

"Oh, Tomura, you're looking good," Hawks gave a fake smile. "Don't tell me, have you been working out recently?"

Shigaraki chuckled from where he was standing, placing his hands over the feathers pinning him to the concrete. They were sharp digging through his skin, muscles, and all. "You've gotten slower Hawks."

"Now," Creati hissed, falling back into the arms of Hawks.

"I prefer to think that everyone else just got faster!" Hawks shouted, as he parted away from the building. Carrying Yaoyorozu in his arms as he put as much distance between them and Shigaraki as possible.

She pulled a detonator out of her pocket, "I only made enough C4 to take out the supports, didn't have time to make more."

"Don't sweat it, every bit helps," Hawks smiled.

Yaoyorozu nodded, and pressed the button on the side of the remote. There was a bright flash as explosions engulfed the building they'd just emerged from. Concrete and steel being twisted apart as the combustion spread outwards. Within moments the whole structure collapsed in on itself, burying whatever was inside in a mountain of rubble.

She looked around at their surroundings, looking to see if the situation was improving. From high up above the rows of buildings she could see movement. Heroes moving in all directions towards the sound and sight of the blast. Thanks to the efforts of those already on scene, all that was left to take care of was containment of the threat at hand. There were no more wounded civilians left to take care of, only villains to isolate and arrest.

"We're going to need everyone we can get," she said, peering at the distant figures. Yaoyorozu could recognize some of them, Anima, Mudman, Cellophane, Dragon Shroud, Mines...the names went on.

"I feel old," Hawks chuckled.

"Hmm? Why's that?" she asked, perking her head. Addressing him eased her nerves ever so slightly.

"So many young heroes."

"You've still got a career ahead of yourself, I don't see you retiring anytime soon," she explained.

"I hope the same for all your sake," his expression tightened. "But something tells me that won't be true for everyone."

….

He could feel the weight press against him. The pain of sharp rubble digging into his skin and body. A whole building, or what was left of it, laid atop him covering him in layers of suffocating dirt and debris.

Shigaraki paused, taking a moment to gather his senses. Underneath all the crushing weight he couldn't see much other than darkness; he couldn't feel much other than pain. The only bulwark against the pressure being his regenerative quirks and endurance enhancers.

Heroes...a single thought and image came to mind, repeating endlessly. Heroes...Heroes...He pressed his fingers into the ground around him, wrapping all five digits around a broken pipe.

Broken images of the past came back to him. As they had so many times before. Memories of loss, grief, and isolation. All he could see were the fragmented images of his hate. Of his caring Master, and the world that had left him behind.

Who am I? he thought. Now that Master is gone...

A boiling rage overtook him. Those broken images inside his head left him little to hold onto. And as his surroundings began to wither and decay away, so too did his calm and collected state of mind. It tore itself apart piece by piece, fragmenting away into nothing within a matter of moments. Spreading rapidly from rubble to rubble, before the entire ruin above him withered away.

Everything that breathes...irritates me, he tried to gather his senses, wiping the dust from his eyes. He felt an unbearable itch swell within him.

He coughed up blood, and stretched his neck and shoulders out. Standing up amidst the small crater left behind from the blast, it was clear to Shigaraki that he was surrounded. The opening he'd cleared away with his decaying touch had left him exposed to a legion of heroes approaching him from all sides.

At least fifty heroes, he glanced from side to side eyeing their formation. Probably more. They were spread out, wrapped around a loose network of buildings, and streets. On the ground, in the air, and around buildings they were tightly linked to any piece of civilization they could find. Anything to put something between them and him.

He recognized some of them, having carefully studied the top hero rankings in the country. Although most of them were nameless to him, B and C grade heroes who couldn't hope to stand against him on their own.

Shigaraki chuckled, his throat was dry and his voice hoarse. They're afraid. I'm the one who's surrounded and they're the ones who are shaking. The heroes in front were locked in their defensive stances, poised to attack at a moments notice. But there was a rigidness to their formation, a stiff inflexibility and total silence that signaled their unease.

He could see Hawks and Creati at the center, perched atop a roof just behind the first line of defense. A loudspeaker was in her hand, and a trio of cannons were at her sides.

"You don't intend to arrest me do you?" he shouted at them. There was brief silence, whispers and murmurs of doubt spread through their ranks.

Creati's voice boomed through her loudspeaker, "We'll do what we must to keep people safe."

"Are you protecting them, or just protecting your image?" he asked. "They never had faith in heroes, just in the Symbol of Peace, just in power."

The heroes around him stood silent. His voice growing louder as his enhancing quirks took hold, "They only respect power, that's what the Symbol of Peace was, just with a cheerful image to market it."

Shigaraki clenched his fists, and took a brief moment to pause. "And look how that turned out." Shigaraki gritted his teeth, enunciating with cold, quiet fury.

He could see helicopters circling overhead broadcasting his position with accurate camera work; it seemed the media didn't want to miss what was about to happen.

He stared up at the cameras, focusing on their position before speaking, "But the Symbol of Peace is dead! That's why you're afraid, because there's no power to believe in. Heroes are supposed to fight bravely no matter what. One hero falls and the rest all lose heart? What kind of heroism is that!?"

"The Symbol of Peace is dead, and if you want any proof just look around you," he gestured with his outstretched hands. "Where is Midoriya? Where is Deku?! Out on a special mission right!?"

Shigaraki grinned, spreading his arms outwards, "There's a new power to believe in, the Symbol of Fear." He clenched his fists, taking a few steps forward, "The Symbol of Peace is dead, long live the Symbol of Fear!"

A set of muzzle flashes from the distant rooftop shook the earth, kicking up smoke and dust from a volley of large cannons. Creati shifted her footing, shouting into her loudspeaker, "Now!"

He could feel an unbearable consuming feeling overtake him. A feeling that'd been with him for as long as he could remember. His blood was boiling with adrenaline, and every fiber in his body stood on end. Those cannons only fire once...he thought, shifting his stance to meet the blow. Time to give them a reason to believe.

The cannon balls struck the ground beside him, breaking it apart upon impact. Kicking up rubble and bits of broken ground around him. His eyes were blinded by the dust. His throat and lungs choked in the cloud. She wasn't aiming for me...clever.

Lurching forward he twisted his body around in a sudden motion. Vaulting over his gait with a wide sweeping motion of his arms to disperse the dust. Echo locate, howl, vocal enhancers x2, he thought to himself. If I can't see them…Shigaraki released a bone chilling screech, loud enough to shatter bits of glass, cause ears to bleed, and force the heroes around him to jolt back in shock. The quirks provided him with the same sensory information it had before, a total mental map of his surroundings based on sound; much needed given his eyes were blinded by debris.

As the heroes closed in on his position, dozens of different quirks and abilities fired off in quick succession. A mix of confident attacks, and panicked impulses struck Shigaraki before he could react.

"Fierce Scales!"

"Poltergeist: Moon Summit!"

"Twin Impact!"

"Ultra Grape Rush!"

The blows hammered home, one after the other. Giving him little time to breathe in between the continuous barrage. He could feel them pierce his skin. Each blow striking against his body, snapping bones and dazing his senses. Endurance enhancers x10, he thought, tensing his muscles in reaction. Shigaraki found it difficult to do more than absorb hits, immobilized by relentless determined attacks.

Then the ground erupted beneath him, three explosions that moved the earth around him in a single blast. The cannonballs? Timed fuses, he winced. Clever...heat and debris swelled beneath him. Rising past and beyond as he was forced into the air, still dazed from the prior blows. His arms were stuck at his sides, held in place by a variety of different incapacitating quirks: webs, sticky spheres, cement, and molten glue to name a few.

"Phase 2: Go!" Yaoyorozu shouted, coordinating a secondary strike of supporting quirks from just behind the first line of heroes. Hawks was among them, soaring up to meet the incapacitated Shigaraki with a flurry of fierce wings. Pinning his target to the air with the force of a dozen precise feathers angled at different areas around Shigaraki's body.

They're trying to keep me off of the ground, tch, Shigaraki noticed, as he analyzed his opponents. Guess they don't want a repeat of Deika city.

"Even if all of that were true, the Symbol of Peace lives on in all of us!" Yaoyorozu spoke into her loudspeaker with renewed vigor. "Phase 3!"

From beyond the line of buildings at their flank, a dark figure maneuvered overhead with rapid speed. Swinging from structure to structure on lines of strong tape. Clad in dark armor, a helmet of black and yellow concealed his face, as the hero Cellophane approached. Jetting a series of quick shots of his quirk before circling around for another pass. Within moments Shigaraki found his whole body constricted by tight forming adhesive tape.

Things could be going better, he sighed. Good thing I borrowed that quirk from Redestro.

A Symbol of Peace in all of you... "Fine then," Shigaraki muttered. "I'll just have to kill every one of you."

….

There was a jolt of pain that struck him, all along the right side of his body; the first of his senses to return. A pressing weight sat against his shoulders, he could barely inch a muscle.

His senses slowly returned one after the other. Bakugou could taste the dust clouding around, as he muttered a curse under his remaining breath. There was a stench of burnt plastic and rubber rising with the smoke. And his vision was back, although when he opened his eyes all he could see was suffocating darkness.

Damn it, he tried to turn his head. The weight against his shoulders proved too much of an obstruction. Buried…

There was just enough space in front of him to breathe, as much as the smoke and dust would let him. But above and below him was the crushing weight of a whole building, bearing down on him with all its debris and shattered fixtures.

Move Katsuki, he winced, the pain on his right side was unbearable. You need to move. He tensed his muscles, trying to inch his arms free of the weight pressing them in place.

The rubble cracked and shifted as he moved. Bakugou halted, taking shallow breaths as he glanced up. If I'm not careful this whole thing could cave in.

He eased his left arm up, pulling it gently out of place. Turning his attention to his right side, he tried to do the same. Although, he quickly realized the pain was too much. There's more weight on this side. Damn it, it's probably broken. Gritting his teeth, Bakugou pressed his body against the cavity his right arm was trapped under. All he needed was room to slide his arm out.

Come on, he pushed as hard as he could. But each time he tried the pain grew more and more. Fuck! he bit down hard, holding back his urge to scream.

The more he felt the more he could tell what was wrong. He'd fallen on his back with the collapse of the building, and by some miracle an air pocket had been formed around his chest and head. But his legs were pinned in place, as were his arms. With his right arm pinched above and behind his back. It was a torturous angle to move out from, the weight bearing down mostly on his forearm from the crook of his elbow to his hands.

He pushed and pulled again. The pressure began to lift. That's it, just a bit more, he tugged his arm back. Almost there. The rubble shifted, clamping down on his arm once more, and shrinking the air pocket.

Bakugo roared in pain and bit his lip, as the pain shot through his arm. His shallow breaths turned to gasps for air. It's getting harder to breathe...running out of air.

He sat back, tilting his head up. It seemed to him that all he could feel was the sharp pain firing through every nerve in his body. Numbing his other senses. Without Deku, it's up to me to be someone they can believe in, he thought. They need me out there, otherwise everyone will...he shook his head.

With each gasp the air thinned, making the confined space that much smaller. The shattered concrete and steel biting into his skin with each passing moment. Dammit! I'm not Deku, he gritted his teeth and pressed his palm against his forehead. But like hell am I going to let anyone die today.

The suffocating pocket he'd found himself trapped in did more than just trap air, but temperature as well. Under all the pressure and weight of the debris it was almost like a sauna, Bakugou was dripping with sweat. Nitroglycerin was all around him. Pressing his hand against the rubble above him, he cursed under his breath. And like hell am I dying today. Releasing a single blast from his palm the air around him expanded rapidly. Heat swelled and circulated, as an explosion circulated around and above him. Thundering the rubble out and beyond in a dizzying blast.

Bakugou yelled, standing up from the ruined crater. What was left of the building had been scattered several blocks in either direction. He clutched his right arm, gripping it tightly as he winced, Yeah, it's broken. Fuck, that bastard.

Most of his hero costume had been blown off in the explosion, leaving him covered only with the tattered remnants and cuts across his body. A wound above his brow was still bleeding, forcing him to close his left eye, and his vision was still adjusting to the light as he clambered out of the ground. Both from being crushed by the building and the physical exertion of his Quirk, it took all his willpower to stand; refusing to collapse to his knees.

There was a loud crash to his flank, followed by an intense shaking of the earth. Snapping his head around to face it's direction, Bakugou moved his body towards its source. His movements were stiff and slow, his legs still recovering from trauma and burdened by their wounds. But enduring through the pain he made his way past the line of buildings blocking his view. Stumbling a few times on the broken ground, before catching himself and pressing forward.

Through the alley he could see it. The massive form of Gigantomachia unconscious on the ground, arms sprawled out around him. Along with the unmoving body of Kaminari, his hair was stiff and completely upright devoid of any color save for white.

"All right!" Bakugou called out to them. "Now there's only one more to worry about."

Kirishima was hunched over the body of his friend, checking his vitals signs with an expression of concern etched into his face. Glancing at Bakugou he asked, "What the hell happened to you?!"

"Indeed! You look like you died and returned from the grave," Inasa chimed, hovering towards him.

"I feel like I fuckin' did damnit!" Bakugou grunted limping towards them, his legs gave out from under him every few steps, but he pressed forwards regardless.

"That pasty chuckle fuck is stronger than he looks," Bakugou explained clenching his arm. "But we can beat him, we just need to—"

"Are you insane?" Tokoyami spoke up from the shadow of the sleeping behemoth behind them. "You're in no condition to fight."

"I'm the best chance we have," Bakugou bit his lip. "It's not me I'm worried about…" his gaze shifted back to the distant sounds of battle. The sight of smoke and dust.

"We have to help the others," Kirishima spoke softly, his gaze unmoving from Kaminari. "I'll stay here and take care of him. You guys are faster than me anyways, I'll just slow you down."

Bakugou glared at him, "The hell's that supposed to mean?!" He stepped forward, and punched his friend in the shoulder, "You forgettin' who ya are!?"

"Thanks to you and Chargebolt we were able to succeed here," Tokoyami nodded, clutching his wounds. "You've done what you could."

"We need to move fast, the others are counting on us!" Inasa shouted, bowing his body at a ninety degree angle rapidly up and down.

Kirishima nodded, "Get going then, I can handle this from here."

In my condition I won't be able to use blast rush turbo. Bakugou nodded and turned to face Tokoyami, "Take me there as fast as you can. That bastard won't know what hit him."

….

"So what's your plan," Tokoyami asked, as the figure of Dark Shadow carried him and Bakugou towards the distant battle ahead. He's heavier than Kaminari, he noticed.

"He's too strong to take head on," Bakugou paused, pondering his options. Too many casualties, he thought, clenching his fists in frustration. "It's an evac mission now."

"We can't outrun him either," Tokoyami noted.

"That's why I'm staying behind," Bakugou answered in a low tone, hiding the unease in his voice.

"We don't need any more martyrs," Tokoyami barked. "We've made one too many today."

Inasa flew over at their flank on a gust of fierce wind, leaning in to speak in a serious tone. "A passionate rearguard action is a quick way to get yourself killed."

"Not to worry," Bakugou smiled. "I don't plan on dying today."

Skipping past the city skyline on wings of shadow and wind, they approached the end of the Jakku memorial precinct. The sound of distant fighting was audible. They could hear shouting, and loud crashes; the thunder of cannons firing in sync. Momo's here, Bakugou thought to himself.

"Almost there damn it can't we go any faster?" Bakugou's frustration began to grow.

"Wait," Tokoyami whispered. "Hear that?"

Bakugou tuned in and listened closely, focusing on the sounds he'd heard before. They'd stopped completely. The sound of battle was replaced by total silence.

Inasa's face tightened with concern, "Something's not right."

As they climbed past the height of the buildings in front they could see it. A twisted clearing of ruined civilization, where every conceivable fixture had been warped beyond repair. Scattered rubble paired with the dead and dying lay in every direction. What survivors there were appeared only as fleeting apparitions in the dust and smoke, drifting off into a full rout.

His muscles tensed, Bakugou gritted his teeth in frustration. Dammit, we were too slow. Turning to face the others he barked, "Let's go!"

They didn't need to be told twice. Both Tokoyami and Inasa sprung into action without a moment's hesitation. The speed of Dark Shadow and the fierce whirlwinds pushing back the haze of smoke and dust in a single motion. Landing at the center of the battlefield the full scale of the twisted landscape became apparent. It was as if a large warhead had detonated, flattening everything in a large radius around a sizable crater with brutal results.

There was a feeling of dread rising from within him, a feeling of weightless anxiety mired in anticipation for what was to come. One of his quirk's did this? Bakugou clenched his fist, scanning his surroundings for any sign of his opponent. "Tsukuyomi, get the wounded out of here, Inasa cover me!"

"There's no point in doing that," a familiar raspy voice spoke from just behind the shifting wall of dust. As it drifted away, the figure of Tomura Shigaraki became visible, "They're all going to die."

Bakugou focused his attention on the distant figure some fifty yards away. I can't beat him...he smirked. But I don't have to either.

"You talk too much!" Bakugou shouted. Everyone has their limit, he winced, clenching his wounds. I just need to find his.

Riding on a small tornado, Inasa moved to support soaring high above the battlefield to prepare his most powerful technique. A stern expression was etched onto his face, and his usual bombastic self had been replaced by a more quiet and grim demeanor. Passing by Bakugou's shoulder he hissed, "Be careful."

"I'm surprised you survived the impact," Shigaraki stepped forward. "I guess I got the angle wrong."

"Tch," Bakugou bit his lip. Glancing at his sides he could see the casualties sprawled about more clearly, recognizing some of them. Dragon scales...Rule...Can't stop Twinkling...his eyes lit up as he saw the next body. Sero! The hero Cellophane's helmet was shattered, his hair matted with blood. A broken piece of steel, formed from a bent stop sign, was pierced straight through the right side of his abdomen. His blood began to boil. Bakugou turned away from the sight, the more he looked upon it the more it unnerved him.

Shigaraki could notice his unease, "Oh? Sorry about them, I should've held back more. I've never used this combination of quirks before," he smiled. "I'm still working out the kinks."

He's goading me again, Bakugou struggled to hold back his anger, holding his position with guard raised on full alert. As much as he wanted to shout and strike back, Bakugou knew he needed to save his strength. It was a frustrating position, knowing full well any attack would be futile; but to not attack would dishonor the memory of his comrades.

"But now that you're here I suppose I should kill you too," Shigaraki cocked his head to the side with a wide grin.

There was a blur of motion. Bakugou flinched, darting back as he braced himself. If I can predict where he'll move. He couldn't see Shigaraki's first move, the ghastly figure of the Symbol of Fear moving faster than the human eye could detect. Regardless, Bakugou detonated a series of explosions in front aiming to catch his opponent in his advance.

Circling the right side of the blast the flames whirled and distorted, He saw it coming, Bakugou shifted his stance, adrenaline pounding through his body. Shigaraki appeared again, this time less than a few feet away from his right shoulder, arms outstretched in a sweeping motion. Launching a few more blasts to his right, Bakugou thundered back, This isn't easy with just one arm! The blast caught his foe, completely engulfing him in a torrent of flame and shrapnel. But with a banshee-like screech Shigaraki endured the attack. Twisting his body to land a roundhouse kick as his endurance boosting quirks muscled him through the damage of the explosion.

Rolling with the blow he grunted in pain as he reformed his guard. Steadying his breathing Bakugou doubled his focus. I just need to buy time for the others, damn it we're not losing anymore today! Glancing over at Tokoyami he could see the lightning quick motions of dark shadow's large tendrils sweep the wounded off the field.

Shigaraki turned to face them, "Oh? He's trying to save them." Holding up his palms he took aim at the distant figure of Tokoyami, "I thought I told you guys that was pointless."

The range of that attack! I have to stop him, Bakugou gritted his teeth and held out his arm. With a flick of his fingers a precision string of explosions cascaded towards Shigaraki in a large plume, "No you don't! Blast Rush: Rolling Thunder!"

With his focus on Dark Shadow Shigaraki was unable to dodge the blow. Choosing instead to direct the air force from his palms at the oncoming blasts. With explosive results the two forces met each other, colliding in a thunderous clash of light and pressure.

"Your fight is with me!" Bakugou pounded his chest in defiance.

Shigaraki dashed towards him, keeping his distance from the blasts. His body moved at inhuman speeds and angles to keep outside of the attack's range. "You know Bakugou, you remind me of someone."

He's closing in again, steadying himself, he braced himself for another assault. Predict where he'll strike.

In a flash Shigaraki crossed the distance between them, appearing this time at his left side with a raised fist. "Endeavor. That will to push forward even when it's pointless."

Reacting to the movement, Bakugou launched a counter yet again hoping to catch his opponent in the small precise blast at his flank. But this time Shigaraki bounded around it, dodging the blow in anticipation and striking Bakugou with another rapid flurry. "I never understood that. How someone could struggle against power, without having much of their own."

Bakugou thundered back, skipping over the broken terrain like a pebble over water. He winced in pain, using a series of smaller blasts to break his final impact. Damn it! He's still too fast. Wiping the blood foaming at his lips he resumed his stance, I can't beat him like this…

"I guess I shouldn't say that thought," Shigaraki corrected himself, leaping once more at his foe. "It's not that you're weak…"

Another attack, I don't have time t—Once more Shigaraki disappeared into a blur of rapid motion. And once more, Bakugou struggled to predict where his opponent would appear next. He scanned his surroundings with a few quick glances.

A voice appeared behind him, "It's just that I'm far stronger."

Behind! Bakugou's heart stopped, as he tried to turn and face his opponent.

Within a fraction of a second countless strength boosting quirks and other attack augmenting powerups acted in concertwith devastating effect, Stress level 40% Shigaraki thought to himself. Nice quirk you had Redestro, really came in handy. The ground fractured and split, as a crater was pounded into place where once a man stood.

Bakugou blinked to clear his eyes of the dust, he could feel a gust of wind overtake him. Carrying him away from the blow in a rapid motion. Inasa?

"I told you to be careful," Inasa hissed. "Forget it, I'm not letting you do this on your own."

"Damn it! If you stay you'll get yourself killed too," Bakugou argued.

"Then we can all die together at least," the voice of Hawks trailed on the wind, drawing nearer as he spoke. Appearing at their flank, his large wings carried him toward the two, a fake smile on his face.

"Our best chance to beat him is together," Tokoyami emerged from the neighboring shadows cast by low walls of rubble. His voice had a tone of anger around it, as if it had lost its calm composure. The bulky figure of Dark Shadow was behind him at the ready, large tendrils at either side of its master.

Bakugou glanced around, Is this all that's left? All the heroes that were capable of fighting stood before him. "Where is everyone else, where's Momo?" We could use her leadership…

Hawks withdrew his fake smile, holding his head low so that a shadow crossed his eyes. "Critically wounded, some fatalities."

"We carried most of them back," Tokoyami gritted his teeth, clenching his fists in a fuming anger. "But some of them…"

Sero...Bakugou thought, his heart sank.

"Some of them we couldn't move," Tokoyami admitted.

"Too much rubble, if we moved the most critically injured we'd risk causing more damage," Hawks explained, trying to keep his cool. Turning his head away from others. "They need emergency on site treatment, but with him in the way." Shigaraki stood at the far end of the field studying their movements, pacing back and forth with anticipation. As if he was a predator stalking his prey.

There were soft footsteps approaching. "I'm here," it was the voice of Creati echoing from behind. "And I have a new plan."

….

Never again...she thought to herself, trying to hold back the fear and anger shooting through her body. "I have a plan," Yaoyorozu repeated.

"Let's hear it then," Bakugou insisted. He'd spent the whole day fighting an uphill battle, a change of plans was a welcome relief.

"We've exhausted most of our options," Tokoyami explained.

"All ears," Hawks said.

"We're exhausted, it's true," Yaoyorozu bit her lip, locking her eyes onto Shigaraki. "But so is he."

She continued, laying out the plan itself, "He's been fighting non-stop all day, to put it simply —"

"He's about to hit his limit," Bakugou finished her sentence for her.

"You're kidding right," Hawks objected. "A guy like that…"

"His endurance is formidable," Inasa noted. "Are you sure?"

Yaoyorozu mulled the plan over in her head. "I'm going to make a quirk enhancing drug, based on Trigger's chemical formula," she explained. "If we can boost Shigaraki's quirks into overdrive, we can wear his body out to its breaking point."

Bakugou chuckled, "That's crazy, let's do it."

"It was a pleasure knowing all of you!" Inasa shouted, bowing his head sharply into the ground in a quick motion.

Hawks bit his lip, I guess we have no other choice. We can't run from him, he glanced around the field, his gaze passing over the fallen heroes. He's much faster.

"I just need you all to cover me while I create the serum," Yaoyorozu lifted apart her hero costume to expose her torso, a flash of light emerging from her body as she began to create the complex item.

Shigaraki eyed them from a distance, seizing up their strength as he paced back and forth from his distant position. What are they planning? He thought to himself. Not that it matters. The top heroes are in no condition to fight. I'll finish them here, and gather my comrades as soon as possible. He shouted over to them, "You know Creati, I wasn't planning on killing so many people today, but I'm sure you understand that nothing turns out how you expect it too." Shigaraki chuckled, "You had me in quite the bind earlier, I was scared for a moment honestly."

Bakugou shouted back, his temper reaching a fever pitch, "Just shut up and wait! We're going to crush you no matter what." Small explosions gathered in his palms, as if a dozen small firecrackers were let loose at the ends of his finger tips. Number one or not, it doesn't matter how this ends. I just need to stop him. Bakugou donned a fake smile trying to hide his unease, Deku, you're watching aren't you?

Enough of this, Shigaraki outstretched his palms. "Multiple Enhanced Air Cannons!" From his back emerged three new pairs of arms, enlarged and distorted by their sheer bulk and mass. Outstretched with open palms facing the grouped heroes. A thunderous volley of pressurized air drew forth, screaming towards his targets as they scrambled to avoid its massive wake.

"Defiant whirlwind!" Inasa stepped forward on his gusts, raising a pair of fierce tornadoes to halt the incoming air volleys. The whirlwinds met each other with explosive effect, the pressurized wind colliding outwards in a dizzying tempest. Turning to his allies he shouted, "Spread out!"

They didn't waste time to heed his warnings. Ducking and weaving behind craters and other pieces of rubble to avoid the oncoming debris kicked up by the crashing winds. Tokoyami fled into the darkness at their flank, evading the torrent under the murk of Dark Shadow. While Hawks kept the wounded Bakugou and the less nimble Yaoyorozu afloat under a rush of lightning fast feathers.

Between the volleys Shigaraki dashed forward, darting over the ruined earth at speeds almost invisible to the naked eye. This one's going to be a problem, he thought to himself as he neared Inasa with outstretched arms. Guess he'll have to die first. Inching close enough to see the whites of the hero's eyes, Shigaraki was surprised to feel something pound against his torso. Knocking the wind straight out of his lungs, sending him reeling back across the field like a pebble skipping over water.

"Get away from him!" Tokoyami shouted, the talons of Dark Shadow outstretched and bare as the dark apparition gave a bellowing roar.

Bakugou turned to Hawks, "Get me closer!" Cupping his palm to concentrate his blasts, Bakugou released his own flurry of rapid AP shots. "How do you like that?" he shouted, drifting through the air as he kept firing. Hawk's feathers ensured he was never too close to danger, but always in range of his target. Like a high caliber machine gun, the attacks tore through the landscape as the leading shots traced the weaving and warping figure of Shigaraki. We've got to show that nerd we can keep the world safe without him…Bakugou thought.

From the smoke a dozen lazers beamed outwards in varying directions followed by passing air cannon shots, and several thorn like projectiles. Assorted range attacks hastily produced as Shigaraki moved with inhuman agility and motion to avoid his opponents.

The wild quick blows were difficult to track with the dizzying gusts of wind and debris. Hawks winced as his shoulder was seared by one of the beams. He reeled back, taking Bakugou with him as he drew back from the intense barrage. We have to stay mobile, Hawks thought, glancing at Yaoyorozu. Come on Momo, we're counting on you.

"Almost got it!" she shouted. I just need to make the injector now, Yaoyorozu glanced at the vials of serum in her hands breathing a sigh of relief. If this works...

Stress output 65%, strength boosters x7, spring-like limbs, additional limbs, rivet, air-cannons...the list of quirks went on as Shigaraki compiled them in his head. "Guess I better go all out," he muttered to himself. Dozens of quirks fired off in quick succession bolstering his abilities ten fold. Shigraki's humanoid figure became grotesquely warped and enlarged into a parody of a living organism. Additional pairs of limbs of varying sizes and function; sets of eyes scattered across his body such that his blindspots were non-existent; even scales, strange metal fragments, and mineral like growths were embedded into his bulging writhing skin. With the stress quirk on full output Shigaraki's size had more than doubled, as massive as a two story building.

The counter blows that followed were nothing short of devastating. In the wake of his movements the earth below him shifted and scattered. The ward was turned into a moonscape of craters formed from large blows of his enlarged fists and pressurized air that struck with deafening force. The heroes were scattered apart, reeling from the weight of his onslaught. Blow after blow thundered away. Not concerned for his defence, knowing any attack that would land was futile.

Yaoyorozu winced as she braced for impact with the ground. The wake of the blows knocking the feathers from her body that were keeping her afloat. She cursed to herself, I dropped the serum! Scattered across the ground were the broken vials, and even the injector was broken in two. "No, no, no," she glanced around at the situation. Yaoyorozu could see Hawks struggling to hold onto Bakugou as his wings grew thinner and thinner; his feathers running out. Dark shadow, as massive as it was, stood no chance in a grapple with the monster before them; Tokoyami was batted aside in a single heavy blow. And with renewed power Inasa could no longer hold back the air cannon volleys, his hero costume was torn apart by oncoming whirlwinds; his body covered in cuts and debris. This is bad, there's no time to make more. A feeling of weightless dread filled her heart.

Wait! crouching forward she could see one of the vials was still intact. This should be enough to work, but I've only got one shot. And with the injector gun gone, I'll have to get much closer to ensure application.

It wasn't an easy call to make. The path forward, the only path forward, was dangerous. But if there was one thing Yaoyorozu had confidence in herself about, it was reading situations. Devising plans. Strategizing the best route of action. She could see no other option for success.

Hawks regrouped on her position, and a set of new feathers rode out to grab her. "Sorry I dropped you," he apologized, clutching the wound at his side. "I'm running out of gas here...this isn't looking good." He hated to admit it, but he was at a loss for words. A loss for ideas. All he could do was turn to her with an uncertain look in his eye, and look for some kind of hope behind her stalwart gaze.

Bakugou was just behind him, his face was cold and his fists were tight. He stood silent, gazing at the oncoming figure of Shigraki towering over the landscape. Deku...if you're watching...he thought to himself.

"Get me as close to him as you can," Yaoyorozu ordered.

"Are you sure?" Hawks analyzed her closely. She was shaking. And her eyes were beginning to swell with tears. He could see behind her stoic facade. She nodded, keeping her eyes locked on her target. "Dammit you kids and your heroics!"

"Get me as close as you can," she repeated, her voice cracking in a few places.

"I've seen enough people die to know what that means," Hawks was fuming, his eyes burning with intensity. "And I'll go to hell before I let another—"

"Let her go," Bakugou's voice was hoarse and dry. "I trust her."

Hawks shot a glare at Bakugou, "It's not that I don't, but…"

Yaoyorozu placed a hand on his shoulder. "I have to do this."

"You're too valuable, someone else can deliver the serum," Hawks stood up to his full height, but as he tried to ascend off the ground he found the pain of his wounds was too much. His feathers too few to support his weight. "Damn it!"

"Everyone else is in no condition to press on," she placed the vial firmly in her grasp. "Send me in."

"Hold up," Bakugou turned to face her, clutching his broken arm to ease the pain. "You won't make it by yourself. Send me in first, I'll distract him."

Hawks looked at them with disbelief. He wanted to stop them, he wanted to reach out and rush everyone to safety. But he understood the reality of the situation. Silently he resigned himself to accept it, sending the two away on his last remaining feathers towards the figure of Shigaraki.

"I just need an opening!" Yaoyorozu shouted over her shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah I'll get it for you," Bakugou replied. "I've been saving this one up for a while now. Just be sure to make it count."

She nodded, as they neared their target. Inasa and Tokoyami had renewed their struggle against Shigaraki, pressing against him with the remaining strength they could muster. His attention was on the heroes in front, but he could sense the oncoming heroes at his flank. "What are you trying?"

"Maximum Output: Stun Grenade!" Bakugou shouted, releasing a blinding light from his hands that eclipsed the battlefield. The additional eyes scattered across Shigaraki's body all blinded in an instant as they struggled to recover from the dazing effect.

Shrieking Shigaraki winced, If I can't see them...Rivet stab and Stress Output 100%. From every orifice in his body black and red tendrils burst forth, creating a web of sharp spines that erected outwards in every direction around him.

"I've got him!" Yaoyorozu sped forward, piercing the skin of Shigaraki with the vial in her hand. Coughing blood she looked down. Her whole body was cut in several places. A single tendril painted red had pierced straight through her torso.

….

Shigaraki blinked as he recovered from the blast. Holding his guard up as he braced against a few other attacks. What did they do? he glanced around his body, checking for any signs of damage. To his surprise there were none. Seeing the threat had passed, he deactivated Rivet Stab, allowing the tendrils to retreat back into his skin.

"Momo!" Bakugou shouted as he rushed to catch her body. He fell forward, his legs giving out from under him as his strength began to fade. As his wounds began to bear down on him.

"No!" Tokoyami shouted in horror, reaching out to her with Dark Shadow to brace her fall. Its dark hands barely caught her in time, stretching far across the field to do so.

"Was that supposed to hurt?" Shigaraki asked, his voice booming and much deeper. "I thought you would've realized how useless it was to keep fighting."

He smiled, raising his fists for a final blow. "I'll spare you a slow death. Long live the Symbol of Fea—" Shigaraki paused, a sudden increase in his heart rate caught him off guard; the air was knocked from his lungs, and he found it difficult to breathe. He took a few steps back.

His muscles began to writhe and bulge. What? he thought to himself, as panic began to set in. Every nerve in his body was firing off with pain. A soreness engulfed every fiber of his being, as if he'd been struck by a train. My quirks aren't responding.

From every eye across his body lazers began to beam out. Horns, additional limbs, and other strange anatomy burst out from every possible angle. His skin shifted color and warped. No! That's not it...I've lost control of them!

An explosion of quirks erupted from his body. A myriad of meta abilities gathered in a singularity of panic and confusion. Emitter quirks fired off in the hundreds, destroying nearby structures in all directions at random. Transformation and mutant quirks mired and melded together to form nothing short of an abomination. Shigaraki's heart dropped. Fear seized his mind.

My body is ripping itself apart! His warping quirks fired off. Carrying him away on a miasma of portals and gates forming and unforming about his body. There was a flash as Shigaraki vanished into thin air. Silence took the field leaving those remaining to grieve and regroup.

….

Why? he thought, clutching his wounds as he walked through a corridor of rubble and twisted metal. Why did he…

Dabi limped forward, as fast as he could from the battle behind him. He didn't need a doctor to tell him his body had suffered injuries. He was badly burned, could barely breathe or move, and even his vision was poor. The way ahead was poorly lit, caked in dust and smoke.

Why did Shoto spare me? Dabi tried to rationalize their exchange of blows. The brief fiery moment played back again and again in his head. It was a brutal duel, but one Dabi had to admit he lost. He'd been surprised, caught off guard by Shoto's technique. That power, where did he…

The light began to grow as he reached the end of the collapsed tunnel. It was a narrow remainder of one of the maintenance corridors, used to support a vast logistic network within the prison's underground structure. He was fortunate he'd found it in time. If I was any slower, they would've captured me. He paused, gritting his teeth. There was a sharp stinging pain in his right leg.

"Dammit!" he grunted loudly, producing a slight echo. He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a syringe, taking off it's protective cap before ramming it into his thigh. He swore, for a brief moment the stinging sensation was unbearable; before the stimulants and healing agents flooded into his bloodstream. Before the mission the Doctor had been generous enough to hand each of them items they'd need to treat injuries, medicines of his own design. Dabi was glad to see they were working.

He recalled the Doctor's words, 'The injected serum is based off of Tomura's own regeneration quirk, it should recover you from serious injury, although it will come with some side effects.'

"Side effects, tch," Dabi cursed under his breath. If he had the energy or motion in his body he would've kicked a nearby stone as far as he could in frustration. "What a load of bullshit Doc," he shook his head. "This whole mission was bullshit."

You could've killed me Shoto, he kept walking, limping forward not a step or glance back. He chuckled. His lungs were burning through the soft laughter, but he chuckled anyway. "You could've killed me, Shoto."

"You could've killed me, Shoto!" He coughed, stumbling forward. His laughter began to grow "You should've killed me Shoto!"

He placed his hands on his head, tightly wrapping his grip against his temple. He swore louder this time, "Why didn't you?"

He could see the end of the tunnel now, where the maintenance shaft had been broken open to reveal the city aqueduct overhead. His way out, paved on miles of open cement and concrete leading in either direction. The light from the opening was almost blinding, piercing through the darkness as he waded through it.

"Why?!" he shouted. "Did you think we could be a family again?" He laughed, the burning feeling in his chest was growing.

Dabi roared to himself as loud as he could. "Why would you ever think I was worth sparing!?"

Stumbling forward he reached the end, taking a moment to catch his breath and rest. He crouched, resting his body on a bed of rubble.

Dabi's communicator buzzed. "Yeah?" he answered.

"Dabi, where are you? We're about to warp out," it was Compress, the sound of battle was still audible through the mic.

"I'm through," Dabi said.

"What?"

"I'm done."

"We're not leaving without you," Compress barked. "You're like family to us."

"The league has been finished for a while," Dabi poured whatever energy he had left into his voice. "Tomura has all the quirks in the world, but not one of them can bring back the dead. He couldn't care less about us."

"All that we've sacrificed will mean nothing if we give up now," Compress argued. "Listen, Dabi. We'll get through this. We can regroup and reorganize."

"So he can lead us into another disaster?" Dabi scoffed. "I was only here for Shoto anyways, I'm taking my leave, I'll settle things with him myself."

"I understand," Compress spoke calmly. The call ended abruptly, and without warning. Leaving Dabi alone with the silence of the collapsed tunnel to keep him company. He shook his head. Tried to relax his nerves as best as he could.

"Why didn't you kill me, Shoto?" his voice grew softer, weaker. He wrapped his hands around his face tightly covering his eyes.

"Did you think we could not be a family again?" his voice cracked and wavered. He looked out ahead in either direction, there were miles of trees behind the fence line flanking the runway. The aqueduct having carved straight through a forest adjacent to the nearby city. On his side of the fence there were miles of open ground. Barren concrete exposed and isolating.

"You should've killed me…" his grip tightened. He would cry, if only he had tear ducts to weep from. And he would weep, if only he had the strength left in him to weep. "We can't be a family again."

Reaching in his tattered pockets he drew a flare gun, and took aim at the sky. After pulling the trigger he waited, as the bright flash drove away the darkness behind him and revealed his position.

…