IIII
Chapter 4: Requiem
IIII
Bakugou clambered through the breach, striding past the smoke and embers that clouded the cavernous opening. He couldn't see much past the smoke, or breathe much for that matter, but he could certainly hear. He could hear the chamber in complete disarray, Counselors and other staff aides fleeing for their lives as Nomus rampaged with impunity.
Dammit! I'll have to be careful, there's still people in here. He stopped and listened for the sound. Behind all the cries was a mindless ceaseless thumping of heavy feet. A dull droning thud echoing behind the wall of smoke. He'd found his target.
"Full Power! AP Shot!"
The smoke parted in wake of the concentrated blast. It's only reply was a shrill inhuman cry, its origin hidden out of sight from behind the choking ash.
Goddamnit! He thought, glancing at all the casualties scattered around him.
Once more the smoke parted, but not by Bakugo's hands. The passing silhouette of a tattered body flew overhead. It was a Counselor, his body broken against the wall as the Nomu showed itself.
It had only taken one glance to determine the fate of the Counselor. He's dead. Just how many more like him?!
His blood boiled. Bakugo roared as he rushed forward. Eyes locked on the Nomu's shapeless mass of muscle. "Scatter Shot: AP Blast!"
Energy released from his cupped hands with precision, a tight cone of explosive power spreading outward in all directions as he neared the creature. A precision he desperately needed if he wanted to rescue anyone who was left in the rubble of the chamber.
If there is anyone left alive. Dammit! Those bastards who did this are gonna die.
With so much bulk and stature the abomination scarcely budged an inch in wake of the blast. It's lifeless frame shifting idly a few meters before collapsing under the weight of its new found mortality.
Its body, brain and organs, reduced to liquid anatomy. Oozing forth from fried bone and tissue before Bakugo could follow up with another strike.
"Die!"
Before he could even finish his sentence, the creature's sculpted flesh writhed and twisted. Regenerating with a speed and relentless determination made visible to Bakugo's eyes.
The sight of it unnerved him. Lifeless flesh moving on its own for a purpose beyond itself only to serve a single minded goal.
He placed his hand on the gaping hole in its chest, before releasing another blast. "No you don't!"
Bakugo smiled. All that remained of the Nomu was soot and ash, blending into the surrounding smoke and carnage that it created before its death. And as the blast settled, so too did the smoke. Parting around the epicenter. Around the hero Ground Zero.
Bakugo gritted his teeth. As the wall of smoke vanished, more Nomu's drew forth into view. Approaching from all sides. He clenched his fists at the sight.
Shifting his stance, Bakugo blasted everything in sight around him with focused blasts. His arms extended outward as he fired, "AP Shot Gatling Gun!"
Blast after blast tore through their ranks, bone and all. Their inhuman shrieks grew alongside the blasts. And despite all this, the abominations surged forward with relentless violent fervor. No sense of pain or fear to hold them back.
Rising with the heat and ash Bakugo evaded their charge to withdraw to safety. Parting the colliding mass on a billowing carpet of explosions.
Taking great care to not cause collateral damage, Bakugo put himself between the remaining Counselors and the attacking Nomus. Firing off shots in quick succession to build distance between the victims and their shambling assailants.
"Everyone! Get behind me, and cover your ears. Things are about to get much louder!"
….
"I thought there'd be more to you," Dabi smirked from behind the safety of his flames. "It's embarrassing the Hero Commission only sent you."
She returned the expression. In between her deep breaths she urged a smile out from underneath her helmet.
"Shame," said Ochako. "I thought the same about you. It's embarrassing you're all that's left of the League."
Dabi shrugged, taking a few steps forward. "Well, I hate to disappoint. Perhaps I should get serious then."
He seems awfully relaxed. Ochako kept her gaze locked on him, attempting to dissect his mannerisms and behaviors. Doesn't he realize his situation? Every Pro Hero in the city is coming!"
"Today's the day," as the words parted his lips the blaze around the ward warped into a larger border of deep blue flames. "You heroes are all the same." The flames twisted around and round one another, rising and billowing until the smoke itself was driven away by their intensity.
This is bad. An attack of this scale could level the ward. "And just what is that supposed to mean?" Ochako revved her bike.
Glancing at the fuel gauge she could see there was enough left for one last pass. A combination of limited fuel storage to begin with, and the damage her motorcycle had sustained. Which could only mean, I need to stop him. One more pass!
He punctuated each phrase louder than the last. "You're too slow! Too weak! Too misguided—,"
Now! Ochako dashed forward. Her bike surged past rubble and the rising wall of fire that was closing all around her.
Just a few meters more and it would be over. Almost there.
"Too predictable!" Dabi scoffed.
In a moment his guard was brought to bear. Releasing a concentrated flamethrower down the corridor of rising fire, straight into the path of the oncoming hero.
Ochako braced for the impact. Wincing as the heat overtook her senses and forced her off her bike. She wanted to scream as the heat washed over her. That biting sting of pain flooding over the left side of her body. From her thigh to her left shoulder.
But no words could exit her throat. Save for a coarse plea riding on dry air. What little breath she had left in her before the charge knocked from her lungs as she hit the pavement.
…...
"You made it," Shigaraki said with an air of satisfaction seeing Toga and Compress appear. Flanked by Muscular, who by himself, was carrying the rest of the unconscious team. Kurogiri and Moonfish were still both out of commision from Izuku's attack back in the cell block. "Wait, where are the others?"
"Dunno, maybe they're dead," Muscular replied, stretching his shoulder and back. "But, man. Does it feel good to be—
"Alive?" Compress interrupted in between his heavy breathing. His clothes were covered in dirt and dust. And he looked exhausted. Bent over with arms braced against his thighs for support.
"Free. Holding up the whole damn building really takes a lot out of you." Muscular chuckled. To think they'd really made it.
"Redestro, Geten, and Skeptic appear to have gotten away before the prison collapsed," noted the Doctor. He spoke softly, wiping the dirt off his glasses attentively.
"Did they…" Shigaraki acknowledged, taking a moment to glance at the ruined surroundings.
There was little structure of the prison left. Instead a flattened husk of concrete in all directions dispersed about in a ruined mess. It was more applicable to say the prison was completely gone and replaced with a stack of rubble instead.
"They couldn't have gone far," Shigaraki turned his attention away from the rubble and into the air. Using his air walk quirk he surged into the sky. Surveying the landscape from a new perspective, looking for any signs of the missing party.
Beyond the ruins ahead of him was the perimeter just before the bridge connecting Tartatrus to the mainland. He could see rolling clouds of smoke off in the distance parting the skyline of Tokyo's glistening high rises. Shigaraki smiled knowing full well what that meant, Looks like the diversion worked out well.
To his back was the sea. The foaming black tide had only just begun to settle on the jagged approach to the prison's foundation. Sure enough, as Shigaraki scanned the setting for any signs of life he noticed something.
A walkway made of ice spanning thinly across the bay as a trio of figures advanced across it. Moving steadily across the reflective surface before the ebb and flow of the tide would drag and pull the bridge behind them away.
Shigaraki rushed after them, closing distance with the figures before they even had time to blink.
"Going somewhere?" he said.
Halting, Geten stopped and turned around slowly.
His expression was blank. Cold even. Leaving nothing for Shigaraki to read. He shifted his stance, letting Redestro stand again using his shoulder for support.
Redestro for a brief moment refused to look Shigaraki in the eye. When his gaze finally met, Shigaraki could see the pain in them. The contempt and remorse being held back behind a set of calculated and reserved expressions.
"You think you can just bust us out of jail, and put everything behind us?"
"No," Shigaraki inched forward. "But I can keep the promise I made."
"The promise!" Redestro's skin began to shift color into a dark red.
"Calm down sir, the ice could break any second," Skeptic placed his shaking hands on his shoulder.
"Like you kept it at Jakku? As if you couldn't drag me down low enough!" Re-Destro's voice rose with his figure. His anger and stress built up his physique as his quirk ignited. "The whole movement was wiped out under your watch. Yours!"
"We will restore the Liberation Army," Shigaraki knelt forward. "I may have led it to destruction before, but this time we have the strength to make things right."
Redestro paused stricken with frustration. "No. I'm done following you."
"You didn't know how much I lost at Jaku, people who meant more to me than just pieces in a game." Redestro pressed his hands against his temple.
Shigaraki was taken aback for a moment. He'd lost those close to him as well. Could still remember their faces. Twice…
"We can't leave their deaths in vain," Shigaraki replied, placing his hand on Redestro's shoulder.
"You mean you can't. Their blood is on your hands," Redestro spoke, startled by Shigaraki's gesture. His hand? My shoulder. He knew what that hand was capable of. He had experienced its power first hand. He's trying to kill me?! In a panicked reply Redestro released all of his stress in a single blow. A gargantuan punch at 100% stress levels, the product of ten years of grief and regret.
The block of ice the party was standing on shifted several meters back. Tartarus shook one last time, as Shigaraki was propelled into it at tremendous force and speed. The imprint of his frame noticeable on the shell of what remained of Tartarus.
Before Redestro's tears could even begin to stream down his face, Shigaraki was before him again, the upper right half of his body regenerating and reforming before his eyes.
He wanted to hit him again. To release all of his frustration in another blow more mightier than the last. But it had been ages since he'd fought, and Shigaraki had withstood blows from Izuku Midoriya, the new Symbol of Peace himself. Ages since he'd used his quirk on the battlefield, not confined to a cell. And his stress had all been forced from his body.
With no legs to stand on Redestro collapsed to the floor of the ice bridge. But he refused to let go. Crawling forward with one arm, he landed another meek blow on Shigaraki. This time striking his shin. There was no quirk behind it. No super human power. Just the emotions of a broken man.
Shigaraki knelt forward again. Placing his hand on Redestro's head. There was a flash.
Now he wouldn't have to worry about his power any longer.
Redestro's quirk was gone. Absorbed into All For One.
"Careful. Next time I'll take your life instead," Shigaraki remarked.
Skeptic and Geten were at a loss for words. Skeptic's nervous shaking seemed to enter overdrive, until he suddenly collapsed onto his knees.
Even Geten broke his composure. His once blank unreadable expression now broken for all to see.
"Alright, it's time to pull out of Chiyoda. You're all coming with us."
They warped away on a pool of black fetid liquid. Oozing forth from slacked maws to envelop them all, before the foaming black tide settled.
…...
It's not over. Ochako grimaced as the pain grew wider, larger. Dabi had caught her by surprise, knocking her off the bike and into the whirling smoke and flames. It wouldn't be long before he realized where she'd landed. The veil of smoke could not hide her forever.
'Come on...move your legs!…'
With little recourse, she pressured herself to keep fighting. Inching her right leg up. One step at a time.
Then her left leg.
Then she stopped.
A hoarse cry forced its way out of her throat choked by the dry smoky air. Her leg ignited with fresh pain left dormant from her brief rest.
Ochako moved quickly to cover her mouth. To prevent any more unwanted noise from gathering Dabi's attention past the fog of black smoke. He didn't hear me did he?
She could hear distant footsteps growing nearer. I can't just wait here. Holding back the tears she tried to stand up again.
Ochako took a deep breath. Biting into her lip as she summoned the strength to move again. Not yet! I can't lose.
More heroes would come soon. Heroes stronger than herself that could deal with the emerging threat. Sun Eater. Engenium. Creati. Deku.
The footsteps grew louder. Nearer.
I wasn't strong enough…
The smoke parted. And the earth shook.
"Found you."
Her heart stopped.
There was a flash as Dabi's flames were released, searing towards Ochako.
There's no time to move! She placed her arms ahead to brace the blow. And closed her eyes.
But before the rising heat could make contact it was stopped cold by a furious gale. She turned to look.
It was Inasa Yoarashi. Driving the fire and its source away in a single motion.
"Please let me join in your passionate fighting!" he shouted.
Clenching her wound she glanced around to see the wall of smoke completely parted. Inasa's whirlwinds clearing them away from the warzone to reveal the presence of about a dozen more heroes: Denki Kaminari, Ejiro Kirishima, Fumikage Tokoyami, and Shoto Todoroki to name a few.
From there it was quick work. A single exhausted villain was no match for many of the country's top heroes.
Shoto formed up the flank of the formation riding on a pillar of flames. Within moments the temperature of the surrounding air was lowered to a biting cold, as he shifted his stance. Throwing both of his fists back while concentrating all of his ice into a single point.
"Flashfreeze: Ice Curtain!"
The next moment he threw his arms forward, emitting a blanket of ice freezing the street ahead of him in an instant.
Tokoyami followed the momentum at the speartip of the formation. Moving swiftly to capitalize on the disoriented villain before releasing his own concentrated attack.
"Black Ankh: Dusk Prison!"
They overwhelmed Dabi in just a few moments. Shoto's ice and Tokoyami's Dark Shadow locking him in a prison of shadow and frost.
He was surrounded by Pro Heroes on all sides. Clutched in the black claw of Dark Shadow and pinned in place by a floor of ice. Dabi was defenseless.
"Why'd you attack the Diet?" Dark Shadow demanded, its voice booming and deepened by the night.
"Tch," Dabi's only reply was a glare.
"Don't waste time with him, there are people nearby that need our help." Todoroki ordered. "I can watch him myself."
"If you say so," Kaminari shrugged.
"Let's go then, there's no time to waste!" Kirishima stormed off in the direction of the Diet building. Kaminari followed him, fearing the worst had already happened.
"I'll trust you to it then," Tokoyami nodded before taking off with the rest of the heroes. The claws of Dark Shadow vanished with him, the dark entity wrapping around him as he took off in the direction of the nearest emergency team.
Leaving just Todoroki to watch over the captured villain.
The floor of ice that had once pinned him place had now expanded to form a shell around most of Dabi's body. Stopping just short of his neck in a ring of sharp ice. It's sub zero temperatures ensuring his quirk would not be hot enough to burn through for an escape.
"I don't expect you to answer the question," Todoroki locked his gaze into Dabi's. "You'll answer after enough time in Tartarus anyways."
Dabi laughed again. "Right, Tartarus. You haven't seen the headlines?"
"Huh?"
"Doesn't matter though. You're already too late."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Todoroki ran the possibilities through his head. "A diversion?"
"Now you're getting it," Dabi's smirk widened.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Nope. This is for real. So soak it up."
Todoroki gritted his teeth in frustration. Embers danced furiously around the left side of his body.
"And as much as I'd like to stay and chat, it's about time."
A black fetid liquid emerged. Oozing from Dabi's mouth to envelop his head. Then his body. Before the ice could close in on his neck to stop his retreat. Dabi vanished as the black liquid faded away. It's vapors merging with the smoke and embers rising from the surrounding rubble.
"I was afraid that would happen." Todoroki shook his head. If only we were here sooner.
He paused to scan the remains of the ward. Dozens of emergency vehicles packed with rescue teams were on the scene trying to save what was left. Even with the help of the pro heroes much of the damage was irreversible. They could extinguish the flames, but rebuilding would be a monumental effort.
And then there were the wounded to worry about. Ochako. The Diet.
Todoroki rushed back to where he'd last seen her. In the rush of battle there simply wasn't enough time to tend to every detail. To slow down and assess the full scope of the damage.
Moving past the rubble she came into view, "Ochako, are you alri—
"I am very, deeply, extremely, sorry!" Inasa was there too. Hunched over repeatedly bowing to such an extent that his head made impact with the ground. Over and over again as he begged for forgiveness.
"It's fine really everything's alright," Ochako tried to stop him from continuing but Inasa would have none of it. The bowing only increased along with his feelings of guilt.
"It's my fault you were burned! If only I was faster!"
"It's not your fault, asides I've been through worse before," Ochako tried to smile through the pain of her injuries. If anything it's my fault for being too reckless. "Right Shoto?"
"True, but I have a feeling things are about to get a lot worse."
Inasa froze. Ochako dropped her half hearted smile.
"They were one step ahead of us all day."
"It did seem like that," Ochako agreed. "So what now?"
"We'll assess the damage for now. There's not much else we can do."
"Unforgivable!" Inasa spoke up standing up to face Todoroki. "There has to be something else we can do. Does anyone know where the villains retreated?" His whole demeanor had changed. Shifting to a stone like expression and tone.
Todoroki responded in kind. "Dabi had mentioned something about Tartarus. I think the Diet was just a distraction, it makes too much sense. The best heroes in the country were in the city when they attacked. They knew they would lose."
Todoroki quietly shook his head in response. As much as he hated to admit it, they'd wasted valuable time and energy on this ploy. Dammit! And we're supposed to be heroes?
…...
The remaining Nomus were either captured or destroyed within the halls of the Diet building. Abandoned without remorse by their masters. News crews caught Bakugo's rescue live. A triumphant fist being raised as he led the survivors out of the burning building.
Medical teams and firefighters rushed forward into the Diet to save what was left of the building. As well as any stragglers left inside.
"Is there anyone still inside?" a firefighter asked Bakugou. Paramedics rushing between them to heal the wounded Counselors he was helping.
"I don't think so." Bakugou shook his head. Leaving the emergency teams to do their work.
'The Commission's gonna drown me in paperwork for this.' Bakugou groaned in his head.
He glanced around at the scene. The survivors were starting to pour in with the emergency teams. Scattered groups of injured men and women carried away on stretchers towards distant wailing sirens.
Bakugou clenched his teeth. And looked away. There were heroes on the scene now, more than there were before. There were shouts of joy and relief from the wounded scattered about. But he refused to hear their praises. To hear their thanks.
Reporters flashed photos trying to capture the carnage and heroism but all Bakugou could do was try to hide his shame.
We failed. He refused to face the cameras. No amount of screen time could absolve him. And he turned to walk away from the scene in disgust.
"Wait!"
Bakugou didn't recognize the voice. "Not now!"
"No, Kastuki! It's urgent!"
He turned to face whoever was trailing after him.
The man was dressed in the uniform of a police officer. Although judging by his badge and company he was more than an average deputy.
"Do I know you?" Bakugo couldn't tell. He seemed familiar. But with the amount of faces he had to see on a daily basis, matching the face with a memory was a struggle.
"Togata Mirio, Chief of Police. I'm surprised you don't recognize me."
"What do you want." Bakugo folded his arms.
"There's something you and Shoto need to see."
Anything to put off that paperwork. "Sure, what and where is it?"
"I can tell you on the way. This isn't something for the cameras to see."
"Hmph."
…...
"Get me two liters of O type stat!" an ER doctor said, putting on a stethoscope and placing it on Izuku's chest. "His heart rate's dropping, can someone get us an EKG now!?"
"BP's falling! Can someone contact the Hero Commision!?" a nurse said, helping to roll in all the equipment to help keep Izuku stable.
"I already did," Hawks said grimly. Taking great care to place himself out of the way of the shambling attendants.
It was a mess. A frantic movement of equipment and personnel within the cramped space of the emergency room.
Come on kid you made it this far.
"Sir," a nurse turned to speak to him. "I'm gonna need you to leave the room while we do the operation."
He nodded, quietly accepting the order and leaving the room to wait in the corridor. Not knowing if he would ever hear good news again.
Hawks let out a heavy sigh once the doors shut behind him.
His stomach tightened. His gaze hardened. I should've known! I should've known. Hawks clenched his fists as regret seized his senses.
All the signs had pointed to an obvious set up. And they couldn't have fallen for it any better.
"Of all the people I had to let down…" he muttered.
All his past failures rushed back to him. He could feel his head pounding as the pressure set in. Engulfing his senses like quicksand. Hawks had always lived with his mistakes. It was more than just a part of his job. It was his identity.
Hero work always required a level of attention to detail, discipline, and standards that ensured slip ups were inevitable. People had their limits, even if their limits were higher than others. There were always jobs left unfinished, people left unsaved.
But his mistakes were more than just breaches of code, or questionable judgement. They were failures at best. The actions of a villain at their worst.
Best Jeanist…the memory haunted him. He could still remember the face. The weight of the lifeless body.
Jakku…so many heroes sacrificed themselves on false intel. Intel he provided.
And as the memory of the darkest day in hero history passed through him, a string of words struck out at him. Etched into his subconscious. Twice, "None of you...are heroic at all."
"Not all of us Twice." Hawks took off his visor, and tried to rub off the dirt on the lens. "Just me."
"Endeavor lost his eye because of me," he continued glancing back at the ward. "Now you're about to lose your life." Hawks shook his head.
Suddenly the sounds of heavy footsteps emerged from behind. Thundering down the corridor. Growing louder with each passing moment.
Hawks turned around, and braced himself. Here's hoping they don't kill the messenger.
It was Bakugo, Todoroki, and Togata. Their expressions were fixed with a look of concern seldom seen in public.
Bakugo spoke first. "How is he?"
"Very bad." Hawks spoke gravely. "He got hit hard, the doctors said that...he likely won't survive the night."
"It's a miracle he's still alive." Togata said, lowering his gaze.
"That's Deku for ya." Bakugou continued storming his way towards the ward. "Always trying to pull off the impossible."
Bakugou's voice grew into a booming roar, "He couldn't even stop Shigaraki when we needed him most! And now the whole world's gone up in flames!"
"Calm down!" Todoroki reached out to stop Bakugou from entering. The operation was still in session, and the attendants certainly didn't need another distraction.
"We played right into their hands! The Diet was a distraction! We were pawns!" Bakugo slammed his fist into the wall of the hallway.
Todoroki pulled him back. Away from the chaos of the medical ward. "Deku did what was right. He gave his best effort when it was needed most, I would've done the same. His sacrifice sa—."
"God fucking damn it!" Bakugou shrugged, shoving Todoroki away. "His sacrifice? Don't you get it? The Symbol of Peace can't just throw himself away like that." He turned towards the ward again.
"You bastard! Why'd you have to go in all by yourself?!" Bakugou clutched his forehead in frustration.
Everyone stepped back away from him.
"Don't you know the world needs you? I need you!" Bakugo's voice began to crack. "Why'd you have to get yourself killed?"
The doors swung open.
Everyone froze their expressions.
The doctor emerged. "We've done what we can. He's been stabilized for now." He paused, struggling to find his words. "He should be dead with those wounds, but somehow he's still alive...you're free to see him if you want."
"How long?" Bakugou asked, he refused to look past the doctor. To look into the ward.
"You can stay with him as long as you like."
"That's not what I meant."
"Oh," the doctor paused again, looking for the words that would inflict the least pain. "Three hours at most."
He walked away with most of his attendants. Leaving the heroes to mourn by themselves.
The trio entered the ward slowly. It couldn't physically harm them to see Deku in such a state but it was scarring nonetheless. There were more machines than flesh. Held together by ventilators and metal stents, Izuku was in the worst state of his life.
Bakugou and Todoroki lost their composure. Standing still and silent, as they struggled to look on at the state of the Symbol of Peace. Expressions cold and stagnant. Togata remembered what it was like to have someone this close to him end up like this...
Memories of his mentor, Nighteye, hooked up to machines just like the ones now. "Deku! I know you can make it." His voice lowered, "You have to."
Hawks turned nonchalantly to Togata. "I've already notified the Commision. There's not a whole lot we can do. Any ideas?"
Bakugo couldn't bring himself to look at him anymore. "I got nothing." Hanging his head in defeat as the words passed his lips.
"I'm with Bakugou on this one," Todoroki added. "I mean even if we could pull all the support equipment we could find, I doubt we could restore him. We'd basically need to completely rewind the damage done to Izuku."
"Wait!" Togata's eyes lit up. "That's it, we need to rewind him."
"I'm sorry?" Hawks raised his eyebrow.
"I know someone with a quirk that can do just that," Mirio was pacing back and forth, thinking over his options.
"Are they a hero? Can't say I've ever heard of a support hero like that." Hawks was skeptical, this sounded too good to be true.
"More like a Hero in training. She's been under Aizawa's care for some time." Mirio explained. "While her Quirk hasn't been used like this for some time, it's the only chance we have to save him. We can't lose him no matter what."
"What kind of training?" said Todoroki. "This is Izuku we're talking about, we shouldn't put him in any more risk."
"Doesn't matter," Bakugou replied instantly. "If there's a chance, we have to take it. No matter the cost. The entire world is depending on us to save him. We need to get her here now!"
Togata reached into his pocket, and pulled out his phone. As exciting as it was, he couldn't ignore the risks. Eri's powers always had a reputation for being unstable. And the consequences could be catastrophic to say the least, especially now. Everyone who touches her will be rewound into nothingness…Overhaul.
"I know it's risky, but I don't think we have much of a choice," he said concurring with Bakugo.
…...
1…
She concentrated on what was in front of her. The eerie silence of the empty training hangar was all that she had to keep her company. Well that and Mr. Aizawa's silent judgements.
2...
Ahead of her. On a small concrete podium was a sliced apple. And for the last few hours she had been trying to practice control over her unstable quirk. As evidenced by the row of empty concrete podiums, once occupied by other pieces of damaged equipment.
3!
Eri released her quirk. A light emerged from the tip of her horn flashing the silent hangar in a burst of radiance. And in a flash what remained of the apple was gone. Erased from existence, just like the others.
She let out a sigh.
"Uggh," she wiped the sweat from her brow.
For the past few hours she had been trying to control her quirk. A straightforward drill that was proving much harder to do than it had sounded earlier: rewind the piece of fruit. Each had been sliced to some degree or another, and it was her task to restore the fruit to it's undamaged state.
Cementoss had helped out with the setup, using his quirk to build the platforms. He even had arranged for the fruit. Surplus food that otherwise would have gone to waste in the school's cafeteria.
But as much as she hated to admit it, even after all the time she'd spent today none of the attempts were successful.
What am I doing wrong?
"Hey, Eri." Aizawa called out to her. "Good work, we'll call it here." Being her caretaker it was his job to make sure she didn't lose control of her quirk. It also meant that he was responsible for presiding over her training, and safety.
"Okay," she responded. As much as she hated quitting for the night, Eri also had to admit she was exhausted.
"Tomorrow we can probably keep up the same pace," Aizawa paused hearing her groan in frustration. "Or we could do another drill if you'd like."
"Combat drills?!" she leaped with excitement.
"No."
"Aw, come on. How can I be a hero without some combat experience?"
"Plenty of heroes don't take part in combat. Not everyone's suited for that kind of work."
She cast a look at him, a strange expression that spelled: 'what's that supposed to mean?'
Aizawa hated saying 'no' to that face. But it wasn't his call to make. Asides she could barely control her quirk as it was, it was outlandish to think she'd fare any better in combat. That said, he didn't want to crush her hopes…"Maybe some other time then."
Her expression changed. This time it cheerfully spelled: 'Yes!'
"Ok, let's head home."
They started to walk towards the exit of the hangar. Moving past the rows of cement blocks, and structures.
"Wait," Aizawa reached into his pocket.
"Another call from the commission?" Eri glanced up at him.
"Don't know," he checked the call log. "Oh, it's from Mirio."
"Mirio!" her eyes glowed with excitement, and a smile parted her lips. "Put it on speaker!"
"Alright, just try to keep it down though. It could be a business call." Aizawa answered the phone.
"Hey it's Mirio," Togata's voice was cold and serious.
"It's good to hear from you, what's up," Aizawa spoke in a casual tone.
"I hope you haven't been working too hard," Eri chirped.
"Oh I've been fine Eri, I hope you're doing well in school!" Togata paused, and lowered his tone. "Sorry but this is a bit important."
"I see," Aizawa shook his head as a signal to Eri, and took the call off speaker.
"Deku's been hurt," Togata continued.
"How serious is it?" Aizawa's attention spiked.
"Very," Togata said gravely.
"Oh. Oh uh-"
"I don't know how else to say this. We need Eri to come in as soon as possible to save him. Without rewinding the damage done to him he'll die within the next three hours." Togata checked the clock in Izuku's ward. "Actually two and a half now."
Aizawa blinked suddenly. He needed a second to register it all before responding. "I-I'll let her know."
Aizawa was running over in his head how exactly to tell Eri the situation with Izuku. He knew how frustrating managing her Quirk could be. It was the whole reason he was her caretaker. And with the added stress of the situation resting on her shoulders on top of that, the likelihood of Eri losing control seemed high.
That and her training hadn't been coming along very well.
Is it even my call to make? he thought. I can't have her leave campus like that. But if I don't…
"There's been...Izuku's been injured." He spoke with a hardened tone. There wasn't any other way to break the news. "Very badly."
Eri grew shocked. "W-What happened?"
"I don't know. But they need you at the hospital. It seems the only option we have to save him is you."
"But he's the...He's the Symbol of Peace! What could have happened?" asked Eri.
"We'll know when we get there. I'm sure whatever happened is all over the news already, except for his condition that is."
Eri gulped. This was a serious undertaking, and she knew her ability to control her Quirk was subpar at best. I can't even fix fruit. How am I supposed to save Izuku?
"I know this is scary," Aizawa placed his hand on her shoulder. "But every hero has their start somewhere. Even Deku. When he was your age he was already fighting the League of Villains."
"But I'm not Deku. I can barely use my quirk. I don't even go to school normally like other kids!"
"Well Deku had trouble at school as well. For most of his life he didn't even have a Quirk."
"R-Really?" Eri's nerves began to soothe.
"He never thought he'd be a hero, heck neither did I at first, Deku of all people was most surprised to find out he'd become the greatest Hero," Aizawa continued. "But he never gave up, no matter how bad things got. People like him gave meaning to the words 'plus ultra'. I know you can too Eri."
Aizawa wrapped his arms around her.
Eri nodded slowly. "Okay. I don't think I'm as nervous now."
He released her from his hug. "Great. Now let's get going, we don't have much time."
…...
Eri entered the ward with Aizawa. Words were not necessary to assess the severity of Izuku's condition. The room was a mess of machinery, and the atmosphere was heavy.
Her breathing changed. It grew more rapid along with her heart rate as she neared the bed.
The closer Eri got to him the more frightening the image became. Suddenly the picture of his twisted fragile body became larger, more vivid. As smaller details emerged into frame to make the reality of what lay before her that much worse.
She was afraid to even lay a finger on him. Worried that one misstep would shatter what remained of him.
Bakugou cleared his throat. "No pressure. Whenever you're ready."
Togata shot him a glare. For this to work she needs to be relaxed!
Todoroki looked aside, Way to lighten the mood.
"Alright Eri, just breath and let your Quirk flow. If you force it, you might lose control. If you let too much flow you could kill him."
"I know sensei."
"And don't panic if anything happens, I'll be right here to—"
"Alright! Alright! Come on let's get this moving along," Bakugou was fired up. Hopeful even. It was the most promising thing yet all day. But after a whole day of failure, a chance at success was a welcome relief.
Eri took a deep breath when Bakugou, Togata, Aizawa, Hawks and Todoroki gave her some space.
Come on you can do this Eri! Togata clasped his hand together nervously.
Ok, I can do this. Eri thought to herself.
1…
She concentrated on what was in front of her. The eerie silence of the room was all that she had to keep her company. That and the pressure, knowing full well what was at stake.
2...
Ahead of her was what remained of the Symbol of Peace. She tried to place who he was out of focus.
3!
After taking a second to visualize her tasks, Eri took a deep breath and extended her hands. Focusing all of her Quirk onto a single point of Izuku's body. Starting from the center of his chest she began rewinding the damage done to his body.
The release of power was much stronger than expected. Eri's hair flew back from her face wildly. Her horn flashed with light illuminating the entire room in a hopeful glow.
Todoroki gasped in surprise. He could see her quirk already starting to show results. Cuts and bruises faded into pristine flesh. Izuku's complexion itself began to change dramatically. Shifting from once a sickly pale mockery of color, into a healthy shade of peach.
Eri grew surprised as well, Aizawa's voice bringing her back to focus. "You're doing great Eri just keep going."
The monitors ceased their rhythmic beeps for a new rising pattern of strikes. Machines shot to life again, recording subtle changes in blood and body.
And then there was a breath. A deep momentary breath that gave way to a coughing fit.
"Incredible," Hawks muttered.
Midoriya's eyes shot open. His heart began to beat properly again. His lungs shrugged off the need of machinery in a defiant set of breaths.
Panicked, gasping for air, and blinded by the glow of Eri's work Izuku wondered if he was in some sort of purgatory passing on to the next life.
"What's happening!?" Izuku yelled in horror.
Bakugou rushed to Izuku's side. "Look at me. You're not dead. You're gonna be fine"
Anxious, Izuku looked around as his eyes adjusted. As his body was healed faster than he could process it. "Wh-What!?"
This should be enough, Eri thought to herself. And release. She closed her eyes and exhaled. A motion she had done thousands of times to mentally signal her quirks deactivation.
But when she opened her eyes again Eri could clearly see her horn was still glowing. She could feel the power still flowing through her. Oh no!
"I can't stop it!" she shouted.
Rewind began to run amok. Beginning to erase the Symbol of Peace. Peeling his grip on reality away from his own body with agonizing precision.
Midoriya could feel pain in every fiber of his being. His bones, his heart, his mind, and his skin all began to slowly vanish in concert. The pain began to die down only after nerves and other senses fell victim to the effect.
Aizawa moved into action attempting to activate his quirk as medical equipment disappeared and the ward's lights slipped into nothing. Cables snapped. Nails and adhesives simply vanished leaving nothing to hold parts of the room together.
And before Aizawa could so much as glance at Eri, a chunk of the roof along with a ceiling fan collapsed upon him. Clouding his vision, as the dirt and dust got into his eyes.
"Eraserhead!" Hawks quickly darted to shield Aizawa from any further harm.
"What are you doing!" Bakugo reached out to stop Eri.
"No, don't get close!" Togata pulled him back. Leaving Bakugo fortunate enough to only have lost parts of his hero outfit, and all the hair on his arm.
"I'll hold up the building. Flash Freeze: Stalactite!" Todoroki outstretched his arms, forming pillars of ice to prevent the rest of the room from caving in.
Deku could barely remain conscious.
An emerald flash of his quirk collided with the blinding light of the horn.
Aizawa gathered his senses again. And used his quirk.
And in a second it was all over.
Eri's quirk stopped. The room darkened. There was silence. Leaving nothing but a shell shocked girl, and a perplexed group of heroes to sort out mentally what had just happened.
Izuku looked to Bakugou, the familiar sight of his good friend reassuring him that he had in fact not died.
Eri started sobbing. Aizawa rushed forward to comfort her.
Todoroki stepped forward to speak to Izuku. "Are you all right?"
Izuku took a second to look at himself, past what remained of the machinery and his bandages. Checking his own arms and legs to see if they worked. And touching his face for good measure.
He needed a moment to check his reality for a second. After about ten seconds of calming himself down, his fear shot up again.
As if someone really important to him had suddenly died. He could feel it. An all consuming dread emerging violently to strike out at his senses. Izuku started panicking again. This time his fear was more tangible.
Bakugou saw the look in his eyes. Something was wrong, Izuku had regained his composure but was terrified in another way. "What is it?"
"I-I…" Izuku blinked rapidly checking to see if it wasn't a dream. "I don't think I have One for All anymore."