Chapter 11 lets go. Some complained of the last chapter of creating unnecessary drama, I think it's interesting. Remember Izuku is quirkless has been treated like a pariah by everyone who isn't part of his support system. Truly powerful enemies are on the horizon and the only ONE who can save everybody is a guy that the world made a conscious effort to keep down. This chapter will be more centered on Momo in the USJ arc and I hope this gives decent context for how strong she is. One thing I noticed is that I haven't done a good job developing Izumomo here I've just implied how close the two are, correcting that starting now. Enjoy.
Chapter 11 A hero's always on time, albeit at the last moment sometimes
ONE stood on a rooftop, taking a break as his patrol was going pretty good, he's been all over the city today stopping various crimes. one would think that the events of the other day would scare the bad guys into cleaning up their act but no, they are out in full after the massive loss of heroes in the city. 31 heroes died in Vaccine Man's attack, many of them he liked and had actually visited their hero agencies on a tour. He would have to buckle down more than ever to protect his town, villains seemed to become more daring and flocking to the city like a moth drawn to a flame. Since he became a hero the crime rate has dropped across the city considerably, but the narrative about him currently seems to be slowly undoing that. "Oh well, just gotta prove who I am, again."
"I haven't seen Momo since the festival, we talked on the phone about the first day of school . It's ironic that Eraserhead is her teacher, she got top marks in a quirk test they did. I'm proud of her and I'm glad she took my advice on redesigning her hero costume, Seeing her in that leotard would not be good for my mental health, still I want to see her. I should ask and see if we can hang out when she gets out of school, let me text her." He thought as he pulled out his hero phone and text's Momo then put his phone back in his belt. "Alright. Let's get back to patrol."
"Yo my guy, I see you've been pretty busy today." Taku suddenly spoke into his cowl.
"Yeah things are getting pretty hectic with so many pros gone, what's up?"
"Well first off I've finally decided on a codename. Call me, Intech." He said with confidence.
"Intech this a play on the way Saki Okoto calls you a bug? Or insect, Intech."
Don't play with the name like that , but kinda. I gather intel for you, improve your suit, give you gadgets to make things easier and investigate crimes with you. I'm your Intelligent and Technologically gifted sidekick: Intech.
"True, you are my intelligence guy and a damn good techie so I guess it fits, I like it." He complimented.
"Thanks friend. Anyway for the reason I'm calling, you sure you don't want me to hack the news station's system and get the original footage of the fight. I can post it online and prove you were not just at the site but that YOU beat the bad guy. More people are running with the idea that you let the blue guy get away and let him wreck the city. You and I both know they're just doing this in a collaborative effort to protect All Might's perfect image, but crushing yours isn't gonna help."
"Intech it's fine. Promise me you won't hack the system and expose the truth. I'm serious, If you think it's getting crazy out here now, imagine what would happen if the whole world found out the symbol of peace LOST!"
He let out a deep sigh. "ok I won't do it. But speaking of, what the hell happened to All Might after his final clash with the blue guy? Was he knocked out or something?"
"I assume, I didn't see him when I got there and Vaccine Man said that he fought him."
"Yeah, almost according to script the live broadcast went out during their clash, but even if that goes out I know for a fact you can keep recording and the whole footage is automatically uploaded to the server."
"You're right, but for now let's just chalk it up to All Might being knocked out, I got work to do, talk to you later."
"Alright, handle business ONE. Don'r forget to send me a photo of Yaoyorozu's hero costume, I know you have it." Intech said before hanging up.
UA High Faculty lounge
All Might in his skinny form sits in a chair sipping some tea. He was all over the city doing hero work this morning, he had gone over his limit as the crime had jumped in the city the past two days alone. He had done all he could this morning and was completely spent. He couldn't help thinking of the past few days. He was powerless to stop a powerful villain from taking so many innocent lives. He knew more than anyone that if it hadn't been for ONE's arrival, it would have been much, much worse. He couldn't help but feel gratitude but also immense guilt towards the vigilante. He was given credit for defeating the villain, credit that he didn't deserve. Not only did ONE stop that villain twice that day, but he also saved him! When he used his Plus Ultra against his energy attack and was blown away, he crashed into a destroyed clothing store. He was out of power and reverted into his true form, his suit was torn so he put on a t-shirt and as he exited the destroyed building ONE showed up carrying an injured Mirko. Though he didn't know he was All Might,he made a point to get them both to the hospital before dealing with the threat. Like a real hero should.
However now several members of the media are making a collaborative effort to make him the fall guy and even blame ONE for the incident occurring, all because HE lost. The symbol of peace fell and he couldn't get back up, and the hero who rose up to handle his obligations was being shunned. He had seen the full footage of the battle after he was blown away, and was amazed by ONE's incredible power. He brought the villain to his knees with little effort, he was even more astonished to see how he handled the villain's threat of an explosion so powerful that everything for hundreds of kilometers would be destroyed. He jumped and threw him into the air, most likely space, and still went on to help others injured in the danger zone. The other day as he was on patrol he ran into a fan who had seen his apology to the public. Said fan told he had nothing to apologize for as it was all ONE's fault, the destruction and all the lost lives were because he wanted to play hero. He couldn't reveal the truth, and the guilt tore through him.
Small Might sat in a chair as he looked into his cup of tea, mixed emotions going through him. "ONE...Thank you, and forgive me. He said in a low voice with a mix of guilt and gratitude.
The door opens up and in walks his successor Mirio Togata, wearing his trademark smile as he enters, "Hey All Might, you wanted to talk to me?" The blonde teen asked.
"Yes, sit down young Togata." All Might gestured to the seat in front of him.
The young man takes a seat in front of his teacher, "Is this about the battle from the other day?"
"Sort of, I've been watching your development over the past few months, you've come very far in using One For All and I'm proud of your progress. But the battle the other day...It basically proved to me that I don't have much time left as the symbol of peace." He said in a sad solemn voice.
Mirio's eyes widened after hearing this, he knew that he was chosen to succeed All Might, but he still thought he had more time. Sir told him before he even introduced them that All Might can't go on for much longer, and that the symbol of peace needed to continue its function, society needed a strong, shining example of what it means to be a hero, someone like him. He wanted to be a hero that could save a million people, and with OFA that would be the bare minimum, so he became the ninth user of the quirk. "But you won the other day! How much longer do you think you have?" The blonde teen asked concerned.
All Might cupped his hands together as he made eye contact with his successor, "No...I didn't." His tone was serious.
"What?" Mirio asked, confused.
"Young Togata, what I am about to tell you must only remain between the two of us, even Nighteye can't know about this."
Mirio gulped before nodding his head, making full eye contact with All Might.
"I didn't, I couldn't beat the villain in that battle. He was too strong, and I ran out of time. Even using more than 100% of my power I still couldn't put him down. The current me was just too weak." He admitted with a hint of frustration.
Mirio was shocked at hearing these words, "Well if you didn't stop him...Who did?" He asked genuinely curious.
"It was ONE, the vigilante. If he hadn't shown up I honestly don't want to think about what would have happened."
"Wow… I mean I've heard the rumors that he's strong but… Wow!"
"I've received all the credit for taking down that villain meanwhile members of the media are going after ONE solely to protect MY image."
"So what are you gonna do?"
The older man stood up, I don't know who he is, so all I really can do is try to apologize to him next time I see him and hope he doesn't hold it against me."
Mirio stands up as well, "Well I've heard that he's a good guy, hopefully it doesn't bother him too much, I think he won't even let it bother him!" Mirio said optimistically with a smile.
"Let's hope so." All Might said, wishing he could be as confident as his successor.
On a bus with Class 1A
Momo Yaoyorozu checks her phone, she smiles at seeing she received a text from Izuku's hero phone asking if they could hang out after school. She replies with a yes and puts her phone away.
Mina Ashido notices the girl's deminer after checking her phone, her love senses are tingling. "Hey Yaoyorozu you looked really excited just now, get a text from your boyfriend or something?" She asked with a sly grin.
The girl's cheeks went a shade of pink upon hearing this. "No not at all, I am merely agreeing to spend time with a friend after school." She replied calmly, trying to hide how flustered she was.
"Wait, you have a boyfriend Yayorozu?!" Mineta exclaimed, slightly heartbroken.
"No he's just a friend." She said with her voice slightly raised, failing to hide how flustered she was.
"That's how it starts you knooow!" Ashido playfully teased. "Is this the same guy that helped you with your costume?"
Momo desperately wanted to change the subject so she answered this last question "Yes, he is. Originally my costume showed more skin than this but by using special fibers made from my hair I was able to work with this." She said, gesturing to her costume. She was wearing a neck high sleeveless red crop top with silver lines on the edges, two gold belts with several pockets and a pouch with a book of things she's made strapped behind her. Knee length red tights with silver lines on the side with mid calf red boots.
Hagakure spoke up. "Your boyfriend's got good taste."
"We're definitely coming back to this later." Mina stated, smiling.
"Okay, you guys hear that the attack the other day was somehow ONE's fault." Hitoshi Shinsou asked no one in particular, changing the subject.
Momo's eyes narrowed at these words, Izuku called her yesterday and gave her the whole truth. "I don't believe that. They went from reporting he defeated the villain in Fuji to then saying he let him escape, ONE wouldn't do that."
"I am afraid I have to disagree with you Yaoyorozu, his actions directly interfered with the heroes, had he just left it to the professionals this tragedy wouldn't have befell the city. Whatever his intentions were, his intervention made everything worse." Iida said, making a chopping motion as he spoke, completely serious.
This time kirishima spoke up. "I don't know, I've seen videos of him and the guy seems super manly to me."
"I've seen videos of him too, his martial arts are amazing, I even heard some people claim he's as strong as All Might, maybe more." Ojiro chimed in. These words got the attention of Bakugo and Todoroki.
"No way in hell that's true!" Bakugo yelled.
"Yeah, that is a bit too far-fetched." Sero chimed in.
"I've seen videos of him and you can tell he's crazy powerful, some say he actually has multiple quirks. It's kinda crazy when you think about it, his abilities are better than most pros so why is someone like him a vigilante?" Kaminari asked.
"His reasons are irrelevant Kaminari, the fact of the matter is he's a illegal hero without a license, he's a criminal and we can not encourage or condone vigilantism." Iida stated bluntly.
Jiro played with her earlobes as she spoke up, "Whatever his quirk is or quirks are, doesn't he seem a lot like All Might? He gives off that same kind of energy, the strong, shining figures types that seem almost perfect. What do you think about this Asui?" Jiro asked, turning to the frog girl.
"Call me Tsu and I...Disagree with him. Yeah he helps people and does a lot of good but he's not licensed. If he breaks the rules just so he can do what he wants that makes him a villain, not a hero."
"Well I think ONE is a hero." Momo said out loud. This statement making the whole bus turn to her with how stern her words were, "I don't know him personally, but I'm sure his reasons for doing what he does makes complete sense to him."
Unbeknownst to the class, their teacher Eraserhead was listening and he felt the need to speak on it. "Whatever his reasons or rationale, I better never catch any of you mirroring his actions. He's reckless, and his disregard for any and all regulations make his reasons even more irrelevant." These words made everyone talking about the vigilante tense up.
Momo, hearing her teacher's words, looked away from him. Izuku had told her of the times he clashed with the pro with it always ending in a fight that ended with Eraser on the ground. He even told her of the times ONE caught him spying on him and any attempt to be nice being immediately rejected, Izuku told her he doesn't care for him when she told him he was her teacher and it's just been proven true. She made a mental note to be careful talking about ONE in front of him.
The bus went silent for a moment with everyone taking in the girl's and their teacher's words. "Speaking of strong people, Yaoyorozu, your quirk lets you make things right? How are you so strong?" Kirishima asked.
"Yeah you're really strong and it's got nothing to do with your quirk. What's that about? Ashido asked.
"Well I have been training in martial arts for over six years, training my body to the utmost limit, I am still a novice when compared to my master but I think I can close the gap with time."
"And who is your master if you don't mind me asking? Ojiro asked.
"Her name is Michiko Tabihara, and I've been training with her since I was nine."
"Michiko Tabihara, I know that name? Where have I heard that name? I can't remember right now but it'll come to me."
"Well for you to be the strongest person in our class the training must have been intense. Jiro complimented.
"It was difficult, and she was a tough but caring teacher, I just want to make her proud and be a efficient and capable hero."
"Who the hell decided you were the strongest here ponytail?!" Bakugo yelled.
"My name is Yaoyorozu, and I got first in the quirk apprehension test." she shot back in a stern voice
"That doesn't mean a damned thing! Just wait, when we fight I'll kill you!" He loudly declared
The girl narrowed her eyes upon hearing this, Izuku had warned her about Bakugo's personality, he was every bit as unpleasant as he said. "Bakugo, you should really learn to say what you mean, because I can kill you just for saying that to me." Her onyx eyes were piercing into his red ones as he visibly shook.
The bus arrives at their destination, it was a large dome like facility and waiting outside to greet them was the Space Hero: Thirteen, They all exit the bus and the teachers explain that the facility was called the unforeseen simulation joint or USJ, and it's for situational rescue training. Momo through her training with Michiko has honed her senses to a fine precision, so she was the only one who heard Mr. Aizawa tell Thirteen that All Might won't be joining them because he used up all of his time, whatever that means. They all enter the facility and are in awe at the realistic areas that simulate real disasters all over the building, Thirteen gives the group a talk about the dangers of using their quirks carelessly and the importance of quirk regulations.
Momo could sense a sudden rise of malice in the air, she walks from the group and stands at the top of the stairs overlooking the facility. To her shock she sees several dark, misty portals with many people coming out of them, they all looked ready for a fight and though she could tell most weren't a real threat, three immediately stood out to her. One was a skinny man with hands on his body, another was a large bulky creature with a bird head and an exposed brain. The last one was a woman, she was well built, above average height with long gray hair with a fringe covering her right eye, she was wearing a red tank top, a black skirt and thigh high boots. Her training had made her very adept at gauging the power of others and she could tell that this woman was most dangerous.
"Yaoyorozu, you should be listening to this too." Aizawa said as he prepared to reprimand his student.
The girl merely pointed out at the more than one hundred villains down below. "Sensei, are they a part of the training?"
Aizawa narrowed his eyes confused to the girl's words, looking down and his mood completely shifted. "Thirteen, protect the students and get everyone out of here, those are REAL villains!" He ordered before jumping down the stairs to confront their enemies."
At Rising Sky Dojo
Michiko and her former student, Rumi Usagiyama were having a really intense spar. The girls and her brother had stepped out. Rumi decided to blow off work for the day and no students would arrive for a while and the rabbit woman pleaded with her former master to spar so she could blow off some steam. They were fighting pretty seriously but not overly so, at least the master wasn't but the rabbit woman was. Her fighting style hadn't changed much since the days she trained her, even though she was stronger, Michiko was disappointed at how little she had actually improved in all this time. She left the dojo eight years ago after she graduated highschool and became a pro hero, her battle hungry nature was something that she herself nurtured in her but when she became an underground fighting delinquent, getting arrested and expelled from school, it was too late to kill what she had created. It had gotten so bad that her parents came and begged her to set their daughter straight, because despite how often she had to kick her ass, Rumi still greatly respected and admired her, she was someone Rumi wouldn't dare talk back to or disrespect. So she spent her second and third year of highschool living at the dojo.
The two women were trading a flurry of kicks, Rumi was hitting hard, clearly angry while Michiko blocked and countered with one leg. Michiko raises her leg to block Rumi's side kick, she then does a backflip kick connecting with the rabbit hero's chin sending her into the air. Landing her flip she jumps at her airbourne student hitting her with a triple kick slamming her back to the ground. The younger woman lifts herself before hitting the ground, her eyes full of frustration as she tells her master to keep going. Rumi circles the master creating a chain of afterimages while Michiko stands in the center completely unbothered. She rushes to blindside the master from her right side but the teacher balances on her left leg and hits her with a fluffy of brutal blurring kicks, stopping her in her tracks. She falls on her back in pain when the kicking stops. Michiko had finally had enough of dancing around the issue with the woman, she had long since learned that you never truly stop being a teacher, the job of guiding and instructing her students will never end. "Enough, I am disappointed at how little you've improved after all this time, it's not like I don't already know what's bothering you but spit it out little girl." She ordered, annoyed.
Rumi picked herself off the ground and took a seat on the porch of the main house with her master sitting beside her. "That fight from the other day... It really has me shook." Her ears were low as she cupped her hands.
"Yeah I saw, you felt powerless for the first time in a really long time I bet." The master said in a comforting tone.
"I decided long ago that I would live my life to the fullest everyday so when my time comes I have no regrets, I swore to myself I would go down fighting. But as death literally loomed over me I couldn't move, my body just wouldn't move. That villain broke both my arms and a leg like it was nothing, and not to mention put a FUCKING hole in my shoulder! If ONE hadn't shown up I would have gone out knowing that I was helpless, and powerless to not only stop the villain, but to protect anyone. And I know All Might didn't beat him. I KNOW it was ONE, he beat the villain and saved so many people including me. Honestly I don't give a crap that he's a vigilante but I want to fight him and see how strong he is." The woman continued let out all the thoughts and feelings that were bogging her down the past few days and she felt much better.
"Good that you finally vented, and it's also good that you know the simple solution to your simple problem, now let's get back to training. How are you so slow? Plus your reflexes have dulled considerably! I drilled the art of kicking into you, how have you gotten so sloppy?! She exclaimed with a raised eyebrow and a disappointed tone. "Oh well, let's recreate some old memories shall we." The master said with a devilish grin causing Rumi's shiver at the thought of her mirroring he past torture or as Michiko would call it, training. They both enter their fighting stances and rush each other.
Back with ONE
ONE was taking a break on top of a building checking his phone. "So I got the green light from Momo, cool. This should be fun. He said with a smile.
A distress signal suddenly came into his cowl, "Can anyone hear me? Villains are attacking me and my class at U.A, please send help!"
"This is the Hero: ONE, Who am I speaking to?
"Wait your ONE? Um, I'm Denki Kaminari and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask you but we need all the help we can get! Listen, villains are attacking my class, we're at the USJ facility owned by U.A. You gotta get here now!"
"Don't worry I'm on my way!" He says before ending the transmission. "What kind of villains are stupid enough to attack U.A? Questions for later, Intech you heard that right?!"
"Yeah ONE I'm all over it, That signal came from a building 19 kilometers northwest from where you are now. The place seems to be about 3 kilometers from U.A" His sidekick informed him.
"Alright, keep me posted Intech." He said before heading in the direction of the signal. "Whatever villains are stupid enough to attack U.A I just hope Momo isn't in the middle of all this, I know she's strong but still."
Back at the USJ 10 minutes prior
As Eraserhead had jumped down to engage the villains Thirteen tried to get the student to safety but they were blocked by a sentient wall of dark mist. The villain explained that the group called themselves the League Of Villains and that they came to kill All Might. Kirishima and Bakugo tried to attack him but were consumed by the mist and before anyone else could react most of the students were sent through several portals that sent them to different areas across the USJ. Momo is sent with Jiro and Kaminari to the mountain zone where over two dozen villains were waiting for them. "Oh come ON!" Kaminari panicked at seeing how outnumbered they were.
"Man up Kaminari, it looks like we're doing this." Jiro stated bluntly.
"Relax you two everything will be fine, we can handle this so stay focused." Momo said, trying to calm the two.
"FINE! haha, I gotta admire your confidence girl. Still, this is gonna be fun. A villain said as he cracked his knuckles.
"Kaminari, are you sure you can't radio for help?" The dark haired girl asked.
"Yeah it's no good, the signal's jammed. I think one of them has a quirk that's screwing with my radio."
"That does make sense, so if we can take out the person jamming communications we can radio for help, the question is, who's doing it?" Momo thought.
"Can't worry about that now, right now the top priority is dealing with these villains, master, let's hope your training paid off." She thought as she made a staff and sword which she handed to jiro. She took a stance as she prepared to face the villains. "Wait, don't I get a weapon?!" Kaminari complained.
Momo never responded as she rushed the villains in a flash, she thrusted her staff into the gut of the first villain she sees, then bringing it up to strike their chin before shoving it into their stomach again, lifting them over her shoulder and slamming them on the ground. Moving on as a blur she gets between four villains, spinning her staff and connecting with the heads and faces of the villains, she knocks them out. Three villains try to gang up on her from eleven, twelve and one o'clock, but using her staff as a vault she flips over the one at her twelve and brings her staff down on him after she lands. The other two come at her but she's prepared, she sweeps the legs of one and flips over the other, she delivers several blurring thrust to his chest, abdomen and knees before jumping and kicking him away. The one from before manages to get up with another villain teaming up with him to get her, Momo throws her right arm creating a large capture net that ensnares both of them. Speeding up, Momo becomes a blur as all the villains in the area begin dropping like flies, Kaminari and Jiro remain standing where they were first warped in, both in awe at the ability of their class rep.
Momo Yaoyorozu had taken out almost all the villains in the mountain zone, even with such a display of speed she wasn't even short of breath. Only one villain was standing, he seemed interesting so Momo kept him standing to ask him some questions, he had tried to attack her but missed completely and she could tell he had an electric type quirk. Maybe Izuku's quirk analytic skills were rubbing off on her because she suspected he may be the one she was looking for. He was a tall man wearing a skull mask with black eye lids, he was wearing a sleeveless shirt that resembled a bulletproof vest, black jeans and black boots. Momo reappeared in front of her classmates and all remaining eyes were on her, she was no longer a blur that none of them could follow. "So you're a speed type?" The villain questioned. "No, I am just fast." She replied calmly.
"Tell me, are you the one sabotaging our communications?" Momo asked, her face serious.
"So what if I am? I had to make sure that none of you couldn't call for help an-." He was cut off by Momo rushing him and connecting two jumping front kicks to his chin, he tries to swing at her but Momo perfectly shoves her staff into his elbow joint, dislocating it and making him roar in pain. He doesn't get to scream for long as in that same motion Momo thrusts her staff into his gut so fast seven thrusts look like one, making air catch in his lungs as he drops to the ground unconscious. She thought about making restraints for the down villains but she would need all of her energy for the inevitable fight ahead.
"Kamina-." The girl began.
"THAT WAS AWESOME YAOYOROZU!" Jiro and Kaminari said in unison.
"You were amazing, you took out like thirty villains without breaking a sweat." Kaminari praised.
"Thank you, but now isn't the time to celebrate, the fight isn't over. The villain who was jamming communications is down, try to radio for help?" She said in a stern voice.
"On it!" He walked off a little to try to radio for help. Momo and Jiro looked out at the facility in chaos, they could see the landslide zone covered in ice, they could see the ship in the shipwreck zone floating and then falling with Uraraka and Mineta being carried through the air by Asui. But the most unsettling thing was seeing their teacher take on a horde of villains literally a hundred to one. He was doing his best and it looked like he was winning to an untrained eye. Momo however could tell that their teacher was barely holding on, he was too tired. It was even more concerning to see that the three that troubled her earlier were just watching while the others tried to take down their teacher. The man with hands on him makes a move but Mr. Aizawa counters and throws an elbow at him, he then immediately jumps back and that same arm appears to be injured as it flails at his side.
"Mr. Aizawa needs help." Momo stated with a serious look as she prepared to help the teacher.
"You're about to jump in that arent you?" Jiro asked.
"He may very well punish me after this but at least he'll be alive to do so, plus I can greatly crunch the numbers down." She said looking at her classmate.
Kaminari walked back to the girls. "You girls will never guess who answered my call?" He asked with a reassuring smile.
"Who?" Jiro asks.
"ONE. If he's as fast as people say he is, he should be here any minute now." He said in a tone that wasn't the least bit worried about their current predicament.
"That's good, but until he gets here we have to help our classmates and hold off these villains." Momo said.
As she turned around to see what was happening with their teacher she was horrified that the bird-brained creature was holding him down as the hands man was quickly running towards Uraraka, Asui and Mineta. Reacting quickly she creates a katana from her right hand and rushes to save her classmates, the hand man is two meters away with a hand stretched out when Momo appears in front of Asui. with one upward vertical slash Momo's blade cuts the villain's palm, causing blood to splatter everywhere as he jumps back. He roared in pain as he looked at his injured hand that now had a deep gash that caused a wide gape between his right middle and ring finger. He looked at the girl with a look that could kill many times over, but she wasn't intimidated as she took her stance.
"Tomura Shigaraki!" The living mist called out.
"Well...That was interesting." The gray haired woman spoke up.
Shigaraki was visibly shaking from anger and pain, "you...You brat." he said with venom. "Nomu! KILL!" He roared as he pointed at the girl with his good hand.
In a flash of speed the brawny creature released Aizawa and was in front of Momo cocking back a large fist, Momo easily dodged the punch that quickly became a blurring flurry of many that she skillfully dodged. The scene was incredible as the hulking monster kept firing blurring punches that continued to miss the red blur that was Momo Yaoyorozu. The three behind her couldn't follow the attacks at all, from their perspective a red blur was moving side to side as the monster's blurring fist's rained down. "Yaoyorozu is amazing." Was the collective thought. In the middle of her effortless evading of blows Momo studies her opponent, his attack pattern, his rhythm, his mindset. "His attention seems to be only on me, plus his attacks have no real skill behind them, he seems to just be swinging at his target. I can't sense any emotion from this creature either. My speed is far greater than this his but I can't keep dodging like this, in that case." She thought to herself as she attacked. In an incredible display of speed and skill she severed both of Nomu's arms at the forearm and cut his throat so deep his head almost severed. She appeared behind Nomu a few feet away from his stunned master.
She stared down the dry skinned man as she thought back to the monster she just took down. "Those cuts took more effort than I thought, his body is tougher than I expected. Doesn't matter now, it's over."
"So you've got a high speed stat. It doesn't matter, because Nomu has way more special skills."
The girl looked back at Nomu only to be met with a large fist that she's able to block with her sword, the force of it still sent her flying and crashing into the wall on the other side of the facility just past the still down Eraserhead. "Yaoyorozu!" The pro called out, scared for his student and too hurt to move. When the dust cleared he could see that the girl was just fine, be it a little scuffed up. Momo could also see that Nomu's arms had also regenerated and and his damaged neck had also healed, she got lucky she was able to block that, she chastised herself as she remember her master once told her a battle is never over until it's over, but she still let her guard down. "So your creature can regenerate, I won't make the same mistake twice." Nomu rushed at her again as Momo held her sword horizontally on her left side before rushing her opponent in a flash. "Unknowing Slash!" With one horizontal slash she severs Nomu's forearms and upper body from the rest of him. But to her shock his missing upper half regenerates a new body. When it was fully restored the creature came at her again throwing a right punch, she cut off his arm again and shifted to his right side, slicing him and sending him back. She raised her sword above the right side of her head before swinging it down in a circular motion. "Spiral Phoenix!" She called out as she sent a large spiral air slash at her enemy, the attack hit Nomu and carried him across the plaza with the attack hitting several villains before crashing into the landslide zone.
Now that she had a chance to breathe she could access the situation more, she was sure decapitation would end this. The Nomu hasn't tried to block, parry or dodge a single one of her attacks, so one strike at her top speed should be enough to end this." She thought. She suddenly heard the sounds of explosions and saw many villains being frozen in ice as well as Kirishima knocking heads. Her classmates had come to fight, which would have been good but she could see Shigaraki talking to the gray haired woman and she didn't like how she was looking at her.
"My Nomu is losing! Get out there and help him!" Shigaraki yelled at the woman.
"My job is to make sure you don't get arrested or killed. Your little puppet never stood a chance, if you don't want it to die you might wanna call it off, I'll handle the girl." She said with an excited grin.
"Nomu! Come here!" He called out to his creature.
It didn't take the boys long to finish the remaining villains in the plaza leaving only the woman, Shigaraki, and the mist villain. Bakugo launched himself at the woman and Shigaraki with his explosions, the man jumped away to avoid a blast but the woman just disappeared. He turns around to see she's behind him, but she doesn't even turn to look at him as she just looks at Momo with a smirk. In a flash Nomu had returned to his master's side and was given the order to ignore the girl and kill the other two.
"Two, you blind or something you ashy bastard? There are three of-." He was cut off by immense pain suddenly coursing through him as his body went numb and he began to spit up blood and he fell unconscious."
"BAKUGO!" Kirishima yelled out as Todoroki looked stunned and Momo concerned.
Kirishima was so into his worry for Bakugo he didn't realize Nomu rushing towards him, Momo moved and swung her sword to intercept him but she was brought to a complete halt by two fingers gripping her sword. It was the gray haired woman, looking at her with a smirk that screamed excitement and curiosity. She could only watch as Kirishima was decked and sent flying snapping several trees before slamming into a wall with a loud crash. He was able to harden his body but he was still seriously hurt. Momo looked into the woman's only visible gray eye, many thought running through her mind. "She stopped my sword with just her fingers! The only people who have ever done that are sensei and Izuku, and with Bakugo...I saw her attack but I couldn't follow a single hit! This woman is dangerous, just who is she?"
"Your speed, and sword technique, I'd recognize them anywhere but I'm afraid I don't recognize you, your name?" She asked, speaking with familiarity.
"Momo Yaoyorozu and you are?" She asked, still trying to free her sword from her grip."
"I'm Takae, Takae Tachibana. So how is master Michiko doing?"
Momo's narrow gaze shifted slightly upon hearing this question. "You know sensei?" and at that moment she realized, "Wait, are you-"
A former student, yes."
"Why are you helping these villains?" Momo asked, desperate to know why someone as powerful as her would take her teacher's lessons down this path."
"If you think it's because I give a crap about what these idiots want you're wrong, I'm just getting paid a lot of money to protect the man-child over there. This whole thing was destined to go tits up from the start, but as long as he comes back I get paid. That cut is gonna take some time to heal though." She answered nonchalantly.
"Be that as it may, I'm the class rep and if you come after my class you answer to me." She said with full seriousness.
"Then bring it on kid." Tachibana said as she released her sword and flexed her hands ready for battle.
Momo strikes first swinging her sword but Takae simply parries it with her bare hand, and throws a punch at her face that Momo barely dodges and brings up her sword to block her next punch with her fist hitting the blade. Takae speeds up with a barrage of punches with Momo doing her best to dodge and block, the two become blurs as they attack, block and counter each other with everyone watching them amazed. Uraraka, Asui and Mineta finally found their chance to grab the injured Aizawa and Bakugo before heading up the stairs. Meanwhile Todoroki is doing his damndest to keep Nomu away, constantly basting him with Ice that he keeps breaking out of and regenerating from.
"This just keeps getting crazier and crazier! Where are the teachers?!" Mineta exclaimed.
"Iida made it out a while ago and ran for help. Hopefully they can hold them off long enough for them to get here. Ashido told them as they made it to the top.
"Thirteen was taken out too. The vital monitor in her suit shows that her vitals are ok but she's still in bad shape." Sato stated.
"I can't keep track of Yaoyorozu and that villain woman, and that monster won't let up on Todoroki, WE need All Might." Shoji said, clearly stressed.
Shigaraki was scratching his neck with his one good hand, frustrated at how long this was taking. They were only students, since All Might wasn't here they should have been able to leave a bunch of dead kids scattered across the place by now. Nomu was taking too long killing the red-white haired boy and his so-called ace was toying with the girl. He wanted to just kill them both himself but was continually stopped by Kurogiri, with the cut and blood oozing from his hand he knew he couldn't use his quirk with it let alone do a bunch of running around so he stayed put, frustrating as it was.
Momo and Takae continued fighting, Momo slashes diagonally at her but Takae dodges, getting on Momo's right side she plants a quick kiss on her cheek as she holds down her sword and lands seven brutal blurring punches in the face. This makes Momo drop her sword and she brings up her arms to block a jumping spin kick that sends her flying, she skids before she's able to get her bearings and stop herself. She can feel the warm wetness of blood slide down from her forehead, her head rattling from Takae pummeling her right temple. She tries to shake it off as she stands up to continue fighting with the woman seemingly pleased seeing her doing so. "I'm glad you've got more fight left in you, your swordsmanship is okay, but the strength of a weapon is the strength of the user, so let's see what you've really got."
The Momo rushes the older woman throwing a barrage of punches and kicks that the graynette easily dodges and blocks. Momo continues to attack with no avail, her opponents counters are brutal and her attacks aren't connecting. Momo throws a right jumping spin kick but she quickly realizes she kicked an afterimage, instinctively she brought her hands above her head to block Tachibana's elbow. Momo grabs her elbow and throws her forward with Takae flipping to correct herself. Jumps back to get more distance as a giant iceberg appears a few meters behind her, reaching the ceiling and covering most of the right side of the entrance, the wooded area and some of the ruin zone. Clearly it was Todoroki but she couldn't focus on him right now. "She's faster, stronger, more skilled and experienced than me, I can't get around that. But...If I'm smart about it, I may just be able to win." She said as she created two small items in her closed fists, the light from her hands didn't go unnoticed by her opponent.
"What's with that light? Uhh, another reason this was doomed from the start, how is he so stupid to not get info on their quirks before doing this? Jackass!" Takae huffed to herself in annoyance but still prepared for anything.
"Sensei, Izuku, please let this work." She prayed before rushing her opponent. In a flash Momo is on the other woman but to her shock the girl doesn't attack, she instead circles her creating field of afterimages on all sides.
"So you're going with the "Flowing Shadow Technique" huh. You seem competent so you should already know this won't work on me. She stated confidently.
"I won't know until I try." The real Momo breaks from circling her and tries to punch her from her left side but she's blocked before disappearing. She then tries to kick her in the back but she blocks and counters, punching only an afterimage. Takae was slightly surprised when two Momo's charged her from the front, throwing several brutal punches at specific pressure points and joints, but with superior skill and speed she was able to block them both. The force of this assault pushes the woman back with her arms still in the guarded position. "She maintained her wavering movement and blocked those effortlessly. I was able to attach them though, thirty seconds is all I need to stall for the first one to go off." Momo said to herself but kept the expression that she was stunned from her failed attack.
"You've got good moves. That would have worked if your opponent wasn't me." She said smirking with an arrogant tone. I Know what you were going for, using afterimages to distract me while you combined speed and footwork to create a speed clone to double up on me, hitting my pressure points and joints to break and immobilize me, let me show you the right way to do that." She said with an excited grin.
In a flash of speed she and a speed clone deliver a brutal punch to Momo's left temple and right temple, before the girl can even fight back the woman unleashes a barrage of powerful punches to every target Momo was aiming for on her and then some. She ends her assault with a chop to the left side of Momo's neck, this makes the girl drop on all fours, with the pain and numbness coursing through her she can't support herself and she falls on her face. "Like I said, if only your opponent wasn't me. She arrogantly smiled down at the girl.
She looks up at the woman ready for that arrogance to drop, "Any second now!" She screams internally. She suddenly heard the sound of loud thuds and she didn't like it. "What was that?"
Tachibana looked to her left to see Nomu slamming Todoroki on the ground while gripping his clearly broken right arm. It gives him one more slam before releasing him and preparing to finish him with one final punch. "Looks like your friend with the ice is about to die." She said nonchalantly.
"AAAAAAAAH!" The woman cried out as her body was engulfed in a sudden surge of electricity. Smoke comes from her as she wobbles from the sudden shock with her head down. "What the hell was that?"
"Like you said, I couldn't match you, so I placed small two but powerful electric tags on you."
Inspecting her clothes she found one of the tags at the bottom of her shirt and the other on the back of her right thigh, crushing them in her hand when she realized when she put it there. "You're smart. When you came at me with your speed clone you weren't really trying to hit me, I'd have seen it if you tried to put it on me so in the midst of throwing punches at me you took that moment to toss it and it latched to my shirt. I cared too much about blocking your pitiful attacks to notice." Takae thought
Momo was stunned by the durability of her opponent. "She's not fazed at all, that was 400k volts!" She screams internally. As Much as she wanted to she couldn't bring her body to move, even if she could she wasn't in the condition nor would this woman let her help Todoroki. All the years of training and she couldn't put it to use when it mattered most. She was the class rep, it was her job to lead and set the example for her class. She didn't use the most obvious way of taking down that monster when she more than could have, and now Todoroki was going to suffer for it. Her first exposure to the world of heroes and she failed, inadequacy overtook her as only one thought came to her mind. "Izuku...Hurry."
As if on cue the doors of the USJ burst open carrying a mighty gust of wind with them startling everyone at the top of the stairs, most of the class had regrouped while those fighting were still in the plaza.
It all happened so fast, Nomu fist came down on the dual haired teen, but his fist hit nothing, only leaving a fist shaped impression on the cracked floor. Some of the students saw that he and Kirishima were laid up with the rest of the injured. Momo knew she was on the ground when she suddenly felt as though she was being carried, and sure enough the man she just called for, her hero, was holding her in his arms bridal style at the top of the staircase overlooking the facility. "ONE...You came." The hero looked directly in her eyes while giving her a warm, assuring smile, "I always come when someone asks for help. Everything will be just fine because I Got This."
He put Momo down with Jiro helping her stand and in a flash he was down the steps. He had observed all of the villains and as he put her down Momo told him that the bird brained monster has super human abilities and can regenerate and to be careful. A man with hands and a living mist was on his left while a face he hadn't seen in almost five years was on his right. " Tachibana senpai, what is she doing here? I'll have to address that later." He thought as he walked towards Nomu. "What kind of creature even is this? Genetically engineered to have multiple quirks, I'm going to get a sample from this thing and have Intech look into it. Who, more importantly HOW, could someone make something like this?"
"Tomura Shigaraki, we must retreat." Kurogiri tried to warn his leader.
"I'm not going anywhere, you know what everybody says about this guy. So killing him would mean my Nomu could kill All Might."
"But the master said not to engage him under any circumstances."
"I don't care, Nomu! KILL!" He ordered the beast
The monster could only take a single step as the hero was on him in a flash, already in mid kick. He throws a left kick so fast his lower leg catches fire, adding a powerful burning effect to the attack that sends Nomu high into the air. In a flash ONE is in his face, "Waves of Blaze!' He pummels Nomu with a barrage of brutal punches so fast his fists catch fire, the monster's body is engulfed in fire and his body bulges as the hero continues to beat him. With one final punch Nomu is sent crashing to the ground, creating a massive crater that causes the whole facility to shake. His body exploded on impact as the flames from the attack began to consume his remains.
He looked at the remaining villains when he got back on the ground, the man with hands on him was visibly upset, he looked like he was going to throw a tantrum.
"He cheated." He said in a low angry voice.
"Yeah this is definitely a fight you don't want to have, let's get out of here. Kurogiri, open a portal please." The woman ordered as she walked towards the remaining villains.
"You know I can't just let you escape." ONE said, his hero voice being very intimidating.
"Portal please, and do something about that." She said pointing her thumb at ONE. "Get IN there!" She mumbled, annoyed with Shigaraki as she pushed him into Kirogiri.
ONE rushed at the villains but a portal appeared in front of him and he couldn't stop himself from going through it, when he came out he saw that he was falling into water. Not in the mood to get his suit wet he started moving his feet and started running on the water when his feet made contact. He saw that he was still in the USJ, just in the shipwreck zone. By the time he got out the villains were gone so he collected a sample of Nomu that wasn't burning and went to check on the students. When he made it to the top of the steps he was bombarded by praises from the students.
"Dude, that was totally awesome! We cut it kinda close there, what took you so long?" A blonde haired boy with a lightning bolt in his hair exclaimed.
"I assume you're the Denki Kaminari I got in touch with. Sorry, I would have been here sooner but other villains were acting up on my way here." He smiled sheepishly
"That move was crazy, you totally cooked that bird-brain!" A pink haired and skinned girl chimed in.
"Thank you, but I just felt I needed to be thorough."
"Well you nailed it! Look at that crater! And the flames are still cooking that monster!" A blonde boy with a tail exclaimed.
"Now that we've got you face to face what's your quirk?" A plain looking guy with weird elbows asked.
"Not important, I need to know who's injured." He said, dodging the question.
He made a quick check on how bad the injured were, he was told thirteen had her quirk turned against her but the monitor showed she was relatively ok. Momo assured him her injuries weren't as bad as they looked but he checked her anyway, she had a lot of bruises and a cut on the right side of her forehead but she'd be fine. He checked on Kirishima and aside from his arms being pretty messed up and his neck a little stiff he was fine. Todoroki had some bruises but the worst of his injuries was his broken right arm. Bakugo and Eraserhead looked the worst, they both looked beaten all to hell. He was told the female villain beat Bakugo and the Nomu beat Aizawa, Bakugo was unconscious but he was covered with bruises and contusions. His breathing was steady but he suggested he still get to a hospital with the blood coming from his mouth. Aizawa had one broken arm while his other just looked like the skin had been chipped away at the elbow, his face also looked smashed in so he figured his orbitals were seriously damaged. The teacher was awake and wasn't pleased to see him handling the situation but he accepted it.
"Well I'm glad you're alive Eraser, I mean that. Since that's everything I'll be on my way, your teachers should be here soon to wrap things up." He made a move for the exit but he could see several figures on the other side of it.
"WE ARE HERE!" All Might shouted as he burst through the doors with all the U.A Faculty behind him.
"Kinda late to the party guys." ONE stated, pointing his right thumb to where the fighting happened as he did so.
All of the teachers are not only surprised to hear this, but to see ONE of all people here. "How did you even know to come here?" All Might demanded.
"Kaminari radioed for help, he told me what was up and I came. At first I wondered what kind of villains are stupid enough to attack U.A? But when I got here and I noticed the alarms didn't go off I knew this was serious. So I handled it."
"And the villains?" Nezu asked.
"Three, most likely the alphas of this little stunt unfortunately got away. They brought this bird-brained monster with them but I took it down. The students took care of the rest and they should be scattered across the facility."
"I see." The mouse-bear creature acknowledged.
The civility was suddenly ended when he was charged by Hound Dog Man. "OOONE!" He snarled as he rushed the hero.
"Sorry in advance Hound Dog. "Phase ONE." He becomes intangible with the dog hero passing through him when he tries to tackle him, with the dog hero landing on his face. He waved goodbye and wished class A well before casually walking past and through the collection of teachers with Hound Dog repeatedly trying and failing to attack him, he makes it outside and is about to jump away when he is stopped by All Might. "ONE wait!"
"Yes."
"Thank you, for saving our students."
He smiles at the hero as he responds. "I was told some people were in danger and needed help and I did. No need for thanks, you of all people should know that All Might." He said before leaping into the air and flying back to the city.
The symbol of peace looked on as the city's infamous vigilante flew away. "I'm not giving up, I need to know what you are... ONE." He thought before reentering the USJ.
Three hours later at the Yaoyorozu Mansion
Izuku needed to see Momo after all that drama today. He had to come see her and know that she was ok, more importantly he had to know how she felt having to face a sibling student in such a way. He still can't believe that SHE was there. He made a point to talk to Michiko about it tomorrow, he wasn't surprised that she defeated Momo, the only reason anyone was alive was because she chose not to kill anyone. Saikawa opens the front door for him and tells him that Momo was waiting for him in her room, she tackles him in a hug when he enters the room. She holds him in her arms for a moment before he reciprocates the hug.
"Thank you, so much Izuku."
He deepened the hug. "You're welcome. How are you doing? Today couldn't have been easy." He said as he ended the hug.
"It definitely was a change of plans. It's still shocking that any of that happened.
"I know what you mean, when I was told villain's were attacking UA I wondered what villains were stupid enough to try."
The entire plan was foolish and incompitent but the villains in charge were the only true threats. I'm just glad that most of my class came out of it ok." Her face shifted to a shameful one. "That Tachibana was powerful, she saw through every one of my moves, even performing some better. I think she kissed me? Only Michiko has ever made me feel so outclassed. She said she was a student of hers, have you heard of her?"
Izuku let out a deep sigh as he replied. "Yes". They both sat down on her giant bed. Takae Tachibana, or Tachibana senpai as I knew her, was one of the strongest people I ever knew. In all honesty it's because of her I was able to master the speed technique to the degree I have. When I first began learning it she was essential in my training. She was kinda like a big sister to me back in my early years at the dojo. She was kind, compassionate and sweet, a bit clumsy but I still liked and respected her. She left the dojo five years ago and was once touted as the fastest disciple, I'm sure I've surpassed her now but her speed was always her most notable skill in a fight."
"What do you think happened to make her side with villains?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm going to find out. I'm going to talk to Michiko about this tomorrow and she'll definitely be pissed, I won't be surprised if she goes after her herself."
"She said that she was just babysitting the leader Shigaraki, aside from taking down Bakugo, fighting me was the only thing she seemed interested in doing."
"It was probably because she could tell you were sibling students and wanted to judge your skills."
Momo frowned as she looked down. "That's most likely the case, she was willing to let Todoroki die but even after I electrocuted her with a surprised attack she just shrugged it off and I didn't sense any desire to kill me."
"Sorry for showing up at the last minute." He said sorrowful.
"It's not your fault, it wasn't even your fight. If anyone is sorry in this situation it's me. I couldn't help my class or teacher, I made mistakes that almost got Kirishima and Todoroki killed, I was inadequate to the biggest threat despite my words and when my body wouldn't move all I could do was hope you would come and save us."
"I've always got you back, you know that."
"Where did that come from?" She asked, curious by his words.
"Well, you mean a lot to me Momo. When I first got Kaminari's signal and learned what was happening, I headed over not just to save people in danger but a part of me wanted to make sure you were ok. I know you're strong, we've spent a lot of time training together of course I know that but a part of me just couldn't help from...Worrying a little." He said, trying to hide his blush. "You're my friend, I really value that and I don't want to lose you. So don't forget I'll always be here." His confidence began to shine as he spoke his heart.
Momo was thrown off for a moment, wondering if they were finally having THIS conversation, she didn't know how to voice it but she had been feeling very attracted to Izuku for a few months now. Izuku eating candy at the Kanamara Festival is an image she still can't get out of her head, and it's one that always excites her. They hung out as often as they could and they always had fun together, he had become someone that she deeply cared for, he had the most beautiful heart of anyone she's ever met. She understood how hard the world was for him, how people look at and treat him because of his status. But in spite of all that he's still the kindness, most caring and empathetic person she knows. She once heard that ultimate power corrupts absolutely, but Izuku is the ultimate exception to this. He's the person he is despite his abilities and how hard it's been for him. When she figured this out she couldn't help but fall for him.
She smiles at the boy, taking his hand in hers as she looks into his emerald eyes. "It makes me really happy that you care Izuku. You mean a lot to me too, and I'm grateful to have you in my life. I'll always be in your corner and I know your duties as ONE are important...But can we still make time for each other?" She said, her gorgeous eyes giving him a knowing look.
Izuku took in her words and could perfectly read her look. He had been attracted to her from the day he met her. She is still the most beautiful girl he's ever met in his life. He never thought he had a chance with a girl like her but she became his friend quickly. She accepted him for who he was, never once thought less of him for being quirkless and not only believed in his dream but supported him fully when he had to take a different path. A path he thought she would leave or he would have to let her go on, but she's still here with him. And here she is telling him that she wants to stay and to keep her an important part of his life. He's known for a long time how he feels about her, she will always be a priority to him.
"I promise, there will always be time for the two of us." He responded with a charming smile while returning a knowing look.
"I look forward to it." Momo smiled back at him.
There was a knock on the door with Saikawa entering to tell Momo that dinner was ready and to ask if Izuku would like to stay, which he happily agreed to. Despite how crazy the day was for both of them, by the end of it, there was a new energy and understanding between Izuku and Momo.
Chapter 11, this was one of my more harder chapters to write because I keep putting in ideas and taking them out. Be it making changes in fight scenes or adding dialogue to other characters. For this who are confused by Izuku killing Nomu but not Vaccine Man it's simple, he looks human in the context of MHA. Izuku assumed he was a man with a powerful quirk that's why he refrained from killing him while it's obvious Nomu is a engineered abomination. Izuku and Momo have come to and understanding and there will be more moments between them. I originally had this chapter end with a kissing scene, but I scrapped it because it seemed too spontaneous. I really hope this is good context for Momo's strength, picture her as Speed O Sound Sonic when picturing her speed. Next time, Izuku helps Momo train for the sports festival, Izuku meets class A, ONE and Intech investigate the hero killer and Aizawa questions Izuku.
