Soul Marked

Chapter Thirty-Six

Hello and Goodbye

Merry Christmas!

I've had this chapter done since two days after I updated last time, but wanted to wait until today to share it with everyone! I've started work on the next chapter, however, my laptop has broke so it might take me a little while before I get it done. The old Chromebook I'm writing on is slow but I'm saving up for a new one! I'm half way there already, but it might still take me a couple months to get the rest of the money. So until then I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

His fingers curled through her own, gripping her to him as he shot out another explosion from the other, causing them to fly forward but crooked. He tensed as he let them drop, his arms coming to wrap around her form, and for a second, he allowed them to continue falling like that, wrapped up in one another's embrace. Before he wrapped her arms around him, and he freed his hands to rocket them through the sky, and out of the reach of those down below.

Izuka inhaled his scent as her face was shoved into his side, her arms wrapped around his middle, as she held on tightly. The familiar caramel scent flooded her nose, causing her to bury in closer, as she ingrained it into her memory. Flashes of blood flooded her mind, but she forced them away. How could that have happened if he was right here, wrapped in her arms, not dead, but alive?

Was this just another cruel trick of her mind? Would she wake up, still falling through the sky, having never touched him?

Did it even matter?

He was here. Kacchan was here. She was touching him. Izuka could feel the way his muscles tensed and rolled as he flung them toward a safe distance away. So stuck in her head as she was, Izuka didn't notice when they began to fall from the sky, coming to an abrupt stop faster than they normally would if she wasn't hanging off from him. Pain ripped through her body, but the impact was cushioned as he rolled them to where she landed on top of him.

"You're here," she whispered. Her fingers began to travel across his chest, lightly digging into his skin, proving to her mind that this was real. She inhaled deeply once more. He flinched away from her, groaning, as he gently pulled her to kneel next to him. Leaning over him Izuka allowed her touch to settle on his face, fluttering over his nose, his lips and gripping lightly at his cheeks as she cupped the side of his face. "You're here." She repeated the words as tears began to fill her emerald eyes, lightening the color with her pain. They pooled over her cheeks as silent sobs fell from her lips.

Katsuki sat up, his thumb brushing the tears away, as his fingers dug into her hair, pulling her close until their foreheads touched.

"Ko-."

Izuka didn't let him finish. The need to be close, to have no space between them, to feel without a doubt that he was real, overwhelmed her, racing away any signs of what normally would have been embarrassment. Only burning need was left in its place as their lips met in a clash of dominance. Her skin felt like it was on fire, her lips tingled where they touched, and she was greeted with the normal rush of coming home. A sigh escaped her lips as she peppered his face with light kisses, relishing in the rush of warmth that greeted her each time. The bond was there. It greeted her openly. She never wanted to stop, to never be away from him again, as her hands moved to bury themselves in his hair.

"You're real," she whispered in-between kisses. Her voice held that edge of desperation as she tried forcing her mind to accept what was in front of her. "You're alive. Not dead. Alive. Not dead." The words fell from her lips like a prayer.

His hands moved from the back of her head, Izuka barely registered this, stuck in her mantra. Her mind was numbing again. She clung to those few words.

Katsuki tilted her head up, his pointer finger gently pressing into her chin. Her eyes were glossed over, not seeing his face as her lips moved, forming the same words over and over, having gone silent seconds ago. He took inventory of her body, noticing the lack of injuries that she had suffered the last time he had seen her. No longer was she wearing the tattered exercise clothes, but instead an oversized black long-sleeved shirt, and sweatpants. Something eerily similar to what he thought the blue-haired villain had been wearing. He took in a deep breath of air, calming himself, as he moved to kiss her forehead.

"I'm here," he reassured her, noticing that she wasn't entirely there with him. "I'm real. I'm alive. I'm here, Koneko."

"You're here," her voice seemed surprised. As if she was just noticing him for the first time.

Tears threatened to build in his eyes as he watched her.

"What happened to you, Koneko?" he whispered softly as he brushed his hand against her cheek. "What did they do to you?"

"Kacchan, I missed you."

He gathered her close to his chest. If his body shook, he paid no attention to it as he felt her nuzzle into him.

"I missed you too."

An explosion from where they just came from blew rock and dust around them. They were closer than Katsuki liked. He pulled Izuka to her feet, pulling her away from where a battle was being fought. He knew that now it was his job to get her to safety. It was too risky to go around and find the police that had been watching over him. Instead, he would find their way to the police station.

"We should be going," he told her, carefully guiding her away. She still seemed dazed, but her gaze was sharpening, as she seemed to wake up. "It's not safe."

子猫

All Might stared as other heroes flooded the area around them, coming to help him. His mind had eased as Izuka left the battlefield. Her strange demeanor, the way she attacked him, accused him, he had to shove it from his head for now. He couldn't be focusing on that if he wanted these villains not to chase after his students.

Shigaraki had made a move, a killing frenzy taking over the kid when Izuka left, a horrifying sight until Gran Torino arrived batting him away from where the kids had exited.

"The boy was supposed to stay with the police," Gran Torino hollered. "Not be anywhere near the fighting."

All Might couldn't help but agree, but after what he experienced with Izuka, the idea that the teen had arrived ended up being a good thing. He wasn't sure the girl would have left the battlefield with himself dangling in front of her triggered mind. The hopelessness of the situation threatened to drag him under, but he refused to buckle while All For One was in front of him.

All For One picked himself from the clutter of rocks. His movements were fluid as he brushed off any stray rocks that clung to his jacket.

"Ah, Shimura's friend was it?"

All Might glared as he turned his attention back on his enemy. "You'll pay for what you did to my student, All For One. You're finished."

"I'll take the two on the left," Gran Torino spoke.

Shigaraki clenched his fists as behind him Toga grew worried at the added heroes. His mind shifted, his eyes bouncing from where Izuka disappeared to and back to the heroes. He was pissed at the turn of events, but a hollow feeling had begun to cling to his mind, leaving helplessness that settled roughly over him.

"They turned the tables of this fight with a single move," All For One spoke. He could see his student wouldn't be leaving the battlefield of his own choice. It was a disappointing revelation that Shigaraki was focused to the point of getting caught over the girl. She had been a loss, but replaceable. The plan surrounding the girl had been one of poetry, but All For One could cut his loss.

He did not understand why his student was unable to do the same.

Forcing Magne's quirk to activate he pushed Shigaraki and his team through the portal, moving them away from the battle and toward safety, where their plans could continue.

Shigaraki stared in confusion, and anger, as he was flung backward toward the portal. He was caught between worry over his master, and anger at being placed further away from Izuka. She would be lost to him at this rate. Back behind the heroes where they could undo all his changes. It wasn't all bad, he knew they wouldn't allow her to stay broken, and the thought of the next time they met she was complete once more, with his own view, hopefully, still intact, was a delicious thought.

He snapped through the portal, upset at the day's events, and more hollow than he had ever been before.

"Tomura, you must continue to fight."

He raised his hand, activating his quirk as All Might came rocketing toward him. He pulled Gran Torino in front of him, taking the brunt of All Might's punch as he stood unconcerned.

"I only came to save Tomura," All For One said. "And help him with his plan for the girl. It's a shame it failed. But if you're going to fight, then I'll face you as you wish. In the past, your fist crushed one after another of my comrades. What a view you must have had on top of that mountain built from our failures."

All Might glared watching as Gran Torino was suspended in the air between them. He struck, snatching the hero from the air, pulling him from the blast, as he aimed for the enemy. The air exploded around them, kicking dust and rock up into the air, his grip on Torino strong as he held on. His punch tore away at his sleeve, blood gushing from his mouth, but he was determined to protect those around them. To not bring harm to them and end the terror in front of him's reign.

'He stopped the attack himself,' All For One thought to himself.

"You still won't attack me with your full power, hm?" All For One said, speaking aloud. "Doing so would endanger all those people you've sworn to protect, and you've already failed one of those people. Haven't you? Do you fear failing them as well, like you did your young student?"

"You shut up!" All Might yelled over to him. His body shook with anger, his mind flashing to the actions of his student, as a dark emotion filled him. "Always toying with people, probing their weaknesses. You steal. Break them. Manipulate, and discard them. I'm sure you would have done the same to young Midoriya. You scoff at innocent people who are just trying to lead happy lives!" He shot forward, faster than he demonstrated earlier, as he latched onto All For One's arm, his other pulling back for a punch. "This must stop, I will not allow for it to continue!" His fist flew forward, allowing the power behind it to drive into the enemy, as they connected with the ground behind them.

All Might panted. His breathing was ragged. Steam rose off from him. He was only barely holding back the transformation of his body. Behind him, he heard a groan.

"Toshinori," Gran Torino croaked. "You're at your limit."

The crater they were in spanned out around him, but All Might was sure it wouldn't be enough. He could feel it in his bones. And the voice that rose from underneath him only confirmed his thoughts.

"You seem to be worked up about something, All Might."

All Might wished to pound his fist into the smug-sounding voice. It grated on his nerves. Would leave the imprint of a nightmare for years to come.

"I've heard the same exact line before, you know." A cold, cruel laugh filled the crater. "From the person who had One For All before you. Nana Shimura."

The name echoed in All Might's mind. Tugging a memory to light.

"I must remember where I started. I wanna make a world where everyone smiles and lives together happily. For that to happen people need a symbol. That's why I wanna be the pillar that gives people hope."

"Huh, so that's your drive for becoming a hero even though you're quirkless."

"Yes."

"Toshinori Yagi. S'that right?" She chuckled the sound warmer than the snow falling around them. "Those are some pretty funny ideas ya got. You're kinda crazy."

子猫

Katsuki pulled her through the crowd. His fingers connected tightly with her own, intertwined with a grip that spoke of how the two had no plans on letting go of one another.

Izuka had felt more awake as they walked, and although once they entered the crowd, she had been overgrown with anxiety; it had eased at Kacchan's touch. He had pulled her close, keeping her anchored to him through their hands, and she allowed the bond to wash warmly over her. She had carefully kept her wrist hidden from him, not yet mentally available to speak of it, to have doubts clouding her already muggy head. They would deal with it later, she would tell him what happened, but now it would only harm the careful hold she had over herself. All that mattered was that the bond greeted her every time she touched him.

This was repeated inside her mind as they walked.

"We'll never get through this crowd to the trains," Bakugo muttered as he pulled her to a stop. Everyone was making their way to the trains, all wanting to get as far away as they could from the fighting. His nerves were on end. Ready for danger around any corner as his eyes bounced over to Izuka. She looked small where she stood. Even when they were younger, she had always stood as if she was bigger than anything else. She held such confidence in her dreams.

At this moment, her hair hanging limply around her face, her eyes holding a mess of emotions, she looked her size. Small. Delicate. His free hand reached up, pulling her closer to him as they stood in the sea of people. He had bought hats for them, fearing they would be followed, and her hair was a beacon. It wasn't much, and as he tugged it firmer over her head, he couldn't help but notice that even right now, he would have been drawn to her no matter the distance between them.

Overhead a whisper of blades flew by, causing the pair to glance up, watching as helicopters raced off toward the fight.

子猫

"This is what you would've wanted, right, All Might?" All For One said, laying proudly, as All Might forced him down into the earth. "You have so much in common with Nana Shimura, the utter waste of a human who passed One For All to you."

A snarl twisted All Might's lips, his teeth bared, as he listened to the words about his master."

"Be proud, Toshinori," whispered the memory of Nana. "You went down a long, hard road to obtain this power. Of course, it's going to take a lot of work to master it."

"My master was a true hero," he snarled. His eyes closed as the steam leaked from his body, his time being held back by pure willpower. "Keep her name out of your filthy mouth."

"A woman with no skill." All Might's grip tightened around the enemy. "and grand ideas she couldn't live up to. How embarrassing for me, the creator of One For All, to see her inherit the power. Not like that student of yours, or what she could have been if I hadn't broken her. Do you suppose she'll die in the same pathetic way your master had? Shall I tell you all about it? Would you like to hear what your student's future will look like?"

The anger that shook All Might's body lashed out. His fist pulled back before striking forward only for a flash of red light to attack his senses, and then he was up in the air. Flying high, a startling sense of numbness resting over his mind, as he was carried closer to a helicopter. He felt the urge to act, to move, to not put more people's lives in danger when he felt something pluck him from his dangerous ascent.

"Gran Torino!"

They fell back down, away from the innocents who were in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Down below All For One coughed, leaning on his hands, as he glared up at the pesky, irritating, tiny hero.

"You're in the way!" he growled. "Just like before."

"Toshinori, you need to calm down!" Gran Torino spoke. "Six years ago, you got distracted, and that's how he escaped, and put that hole in your stomach." They crashed into the rocks, Gran Torino using his quirk to soften the blow, landing on his feet, as he held up All Might. "That's always been your weakness. Don't let him get under your skin!"

"Yes, sir," All Might said, trying to push the words about his master, and student out of his mind. Now wasn't the time, but they hurt to hear. He had to push past his limits. To use a clear mind or he would lose, and that wasn't acceptable. He wouldn't let him get away this time. Not after what he had done to Izuka.

He owed this to her. To all of those that were expecting him to win. The innocents he had to protect at any cost, even at his own risk.

子猫

Above them, a screen blared to life showcasing the awful devastation that was happening below the reporters.

"The scene below's straight out of a nightmare," the reporter cried out. Her face was twisted in fear, as her voice rang strong with her own emotions over the scene. "Half of Kamino Ward was demolished in a single, horrifying instant. All Might is currently fighting the villain who appears to have caused the blast."

Izuka's head snapped up, her eyes wide, as she heard her master's name. Inside her gut twisted, her mind wanting to twist, and turn, but she anchored herself to Kacchan. Using him to keep it clear in her head as she repeated what she knew to be true.

He wasn't dead.

He was alive.

Standing next to her.

She could feel him.

Smell him.

She focused on the words coming from the screen.

"I can't believe it. How can one person be so powerful? He's destroyed the city and is more than holding his own against the Symbol of Peace."

"All Might looks kind of beat up," a citizen close to them said.

"Crap, I've never seen him look like that before," came another.

Izuka began to shake as she listened and watched. She had fought with him before the battle. Had tried to use his weaknesses against him. Guilt pooled in her stomach, as something far hotter raged in her veins against him, the two emotions battling for control. She took a shuddering breath as her finger tightened around Katsuki's.

"He'll win in the end, right?" softly spoke a little girl to her mother, next to Izuka, and Bakugo.

Biting her lip she whimpered as she struggled with control over her emotions. Katsuki wrapped an arm around her waist, seeing the pain and struggle on her face, but having no idea what was going on within her.

子猫

All Might coughed, blood dripping down his chin, as he stood, bloodied, and battered in front of his enemy.

"I find myself conflicted," All For One states as he raises his hands. "Tomura has been the one to chip away at society's trust in heroes, so is it fair that I should land the final blow? You know, All Might, as much as you hate me, I think I probably loathe you more." He glared across the way over to where the two heroes stood. I killed your master, sure. I broke your student. But you took away so much from me, everything I tried to build. That's why I want you to suffer until your last breath, and die broken, and disgraced for all the world to see."

His arm burst in red light, growing in size, as All Might readied himself for an attack.

"Big one's coming!" Gran Torino warned. "Dodge, and counter!" Gran Torino acted, shooting up into the air.

"Not everyone's so fast," All For One spoke sinisterly. He raised his hand, not aiming for the heroes, but behind. All Might gasped the sound of a woman behind him, her whimpers reaching his ears. Gran Torino spun mid-air, twisting his body around, as he shot back toward where he came from. "I will obliterate everything you've protected."

The force of power split the air as it careened forward. Gran Torino grunted and yelped, as he was blown back away. All Might leaned forward, bracing against the shockwave, as he was slowly pushed back before there was a deafening blast that shot rock and dust into the air. The enemy stood in the epicenter, his arm slowly lowering, as the dust cleared.

"First to go will be your self-respect," he spoke evenly. Self-assured to the end. "And ridiculous public image."

Through the dust, a skinny arm appeared high in the sky. It clenched into a fist, steam rolling off in waves, as an equally skinny body came into view with the settling of the dust. A costume hung from bones, where once muscles filled away any empty spots.

"Show the world how pitiful you truly are, 'Symbol of Peace'.

子猫

Izuka could only stare at the Skeletor form she was now viewing on the screen above them. How many times had she been able to view him like this fondly?

This time was no different. The absence of his muscle form caused the dark aura in her mind to calm, and fade away, as all that was left was Toshi.

Just Toshi.

Not All Might, the one who her mind screamed was a murderer, even when the proof of those lies held her hand. Beside her, she could feel the way Bakugo's body tensed at the revelation.

"He looks like a skeleton," voiced a man in the crowd.

"Huh, what's wrong?" the reporter said. "Is everyone else seeing this? It looks like All Might's been shrunk somehow!"

With her mind clearing Izuka could properly feel the horror at what the situation was showing. The internal battle inside her mind was easily shoved aside as she began to worry about what consequences this could have.

Memories brushed against her mind, one's not of horror, and devastation, but of a man who had chosen a quirkless girl to keep his secret.

"I'm supposed to be the guy who's always smiling, right?"

She had attacked this man. Felt in her bones that he was the enemy. Had allowed her mind to fight against the one person who had been a father to her. He needed her right now, but she feared what she would do in his presence. How weak she had become. Her body wanted to collapse, and fight all at the same time.

"I'm the Symbol of Peace."

She should be standing beside him right now.

"People everywhere have to think that I'm never afraid."

Not cowering away from him and her own mind, watching as his secret was being aired to the whole nation.

子猫

Blood coated his fist as he held it out in front of him. His body shook with the exertion of holding himself up.

"Hollow cheeks and sunken eyes," All For One said grandly. "To think that you're their greatest hero. Now the adoring public knows your true form. Try not to be ashamed."

Something in All Might cracked. His eyes darkened. The blue glowing against the darkened backdrop. Blood slid down his face as his expression shifted.

"Your move."

"Even as my body rots and grows frail," All Might said, straightening his back. His voice was deep, unnerving, as he vocalized his determination. The words were powerful with the force of a hero driven behind them. "Even as you expose my weakened state. In my heart, I remain the Symbol of Peace." The fist he raised to eye level began to glow. The light grew more powerful and bright as he spoke. Golden hair whipped as the wind around him picked up. "And there's nothing you can do to take that from me." The colors turned brilliant, the shades of a rainbow.

"Is that so?" All For One's voice quirked, smug. "Ah, well. I'd forgotten how stubborn you are. I guess I'll just give up." He shrugged, his voice following the movement, as he gave off a careless aura. "Oh!" The noise slipped from him in surprise, as if he had remembered something important.

His hand raised, a finger swiveling in the air. "But there is one thing you might be interested to know." The voice darkened from the innocent surprise, into one of sinful delight. "Tomura Shigaraki? My apprentice?" He paused dramatically.

"He's Nana Shimura's grandson."

The loaded revelation hung in the air between the two of them.

The words hit All Might like a punch to the gut. It winded him. Struck him down harder than any physical hit could have. His stomach twisted. An urge to hurl settled deep in his bones.

Another name to add to the list of people he had failed.

His fist wavered in front of him. The determination that had rushed through his body soaring him high, fell out from under him, causing him to crash, as all he could do was stare in dread. Wishing against anyone that was listening that this wasn't the truth.

"I kept wondering what would annihilate your golden heart," the villain said, gleefully. His voice dripping with self-satisfaction. "And so, I found Tomura. Even though I groomed him to hate you, I'll admit that you weren't there for him either, were you? One could say the seed of that hatred was planted by you, and I simply nursed it into what it is today. You call yourself a Symbol of Peace, but that's not the only thing you bring forth inside others, is it? There are those, like my Tomura, where you bring emotions of hate and despair. The Symbol of Peace indeed. Couldn't even save a little boy who should have meant something to you. It made it so easy to groom that hatred, and watch as you smiled so proudly as you beat your master's descendant."

"That's a lie!" All Might's voice wavered, the strength waning, as the statement fell short.

"Oh, come now, you know it's the truth. That is clearly something that I would do. And if you truly cared for your master then you would have checked on her descendants from time to time. See how they were doing."

If he had a face, All Might was sure it would be lit up in a satisfied smile. It disgusted him, but he spoke of the truth. It was something he would do. He had turned a boy that should have looked up to him, one that in other circumstances would have been raised as a younger brother, and filled his heart with hate. Hate against those he should have loved.

All Might's heart broke.

"Huh!" He watched as All Might's form wavered. The frown and horror etched into his face. "Well, that's strange, All Might. Where is your smile now?" He formed his hands against his cheeks in a mock imitation of a smile. Laughter bubbled from his lips. The sound was full and deep, rich in delight, and pleasure, as he watched his enemy come undone.

"If you have to save someone, that means they've probably gone through something terrifying. They'll be frightened. Remember that real heroes don't just save lives. They save a person's heart, too."

The memory wrapped lightly around him. Nana speaking to him once more.

"You know what I think?"

His fists fell to his side, hanging loosely as her voice rocked through him. His hands shook as emotions slammed through him.

"No matter how scared you are, you should smile to show that things'll be okay."

He could see in his mind's eyes the way she had brought her fingers up to each corner of her lips and pressed up, an imitation of a smile.

"In this world, the ones always smiling are the ones who are the strongest!"

"You bastard!" The words slipped from his lips as the memory trailed to an end. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes.

"How very entertaining," All For One laughed, his hands falling to his side. "I think I've taken a piece of you after all."

"He's my master's grandchild," All Might said to himself. "My God, what would she say if she saw how we turned out?" A scream escaped his lips, one of anguish, the hurt, bottled up inside of him spilling over. His body shook with the force as they laid out for everyone to witness.

"Don't lose," gasped the lady crumpled over a rock behind him. Her voice was thick with fear, but within its depths was a deep-rooted belief in the hero in front of her. Her hands shook as she raised it, then the rest of her upper body. Tears fell down her cheeks. Pain erupted throughout her body, but she desperately kept her body up and facing All Might. "Keep going, All Might! We need you!"

子猫

Izuka watched as All Might was frozen, struck with grief that read clearly on his face. She couldn't hear the words being said, didn't know what it was that could have such an impact, but she desperately wished for him to win. Maybe a couple of minutes later she wouldn't feel the same way, but right now, with her mind clear, she wanted nothing more than Toshi to prevail. She kept repeating the name in her mind, washing away All Might, the one she desperately couldn't hear right now and sent silent prayers her master's way.

"He's always been able to win before, so he can do it again, right?" asked a man.

"Yeah, even if he looks totally different, he's still the same All Might," cried another girl.

"Come on, All Might!" screamed the crowd "You can do it!"

Izuka began to shake. The screams of the name All Might had begun to trigger her helpless mind, but she pushed the doubt back, struggled with it, as her mouth opened.

"Win this!" she screamed. The force that the words left her mouth with had her falling back into Bakugou. Her emotions were on edge, but she had to be there for him. To cheer him on with the others. She'd beat back the blood-thirsty aura that had sprung up inside her, deadly and corrupt.

"Beat him!" Bakugo yelled. The sound revibrated through her as he held tightly onto her.

"Come on, All Might/Toshi!" They joined the screams of the crowd. Their voices were drowned out as they stood with the hero. Tears fell down her cheeks as she watched the screen intently and noticed the way his fist lit up with light.

子猫

All Might, with the words of the lady behind him, felt the spark inside of him reignite. His hand lit up, sparks flying from his skin, as the muscle form sprung forth in his arm.

"Fear not, miss," he choked out, his voice growing with his determination. "I'm not done yet. You were right." All For One gazed in surprise to see that he was still willing to fight. He was a stubborn one after all. "A hero has so much to protect in this world." All Might's eyes seemed to glow from within himself. "Which is why I will defeat you!" The light grew brighter in the palm of his hand.

"Toshinori, when you think you can't go on anymore, look inside," Nana said.

"I must remember…," he muttered to himself.

"Remember why it is you clench your fist."

"…where I started."

"Your past. Remember where you came from. Keeping your origin in mind will help push you past your limit."

"My origin of course," spoke a younger All Might.

He stared at his opponent with determination in his eyes.

"I wanna make a world where everyone smiles and lives together happily."

"That's the last of your strength, isn't it, All Might?" All For One began to rise into the air. "A wounded hero is a most frightening animal. Your student was a clear case of that, wasn't she? And look at you. I see where she gets it from. Do you know that even now I sometimes dream of you charging at me with your entrails strewn across the ground?"

Dark red light encased his arm as it grew in size.

"You have what…?" All For One said as he raised his hand in front of him. Palm out, ready to strike. "Two, or three, punches left?" A wall of fire swirled down from the heavens as a figure landed firmly on the ground.

"Are you serious?" Endeavor yelled out. "What the hell's going on with that weak little body?"

"Looks like we made it in time," Edgeshot said, landing in a crouch.

All For One gazed curiously down at them. Surprised to see them join the fight.

"Hm," he began in contemplation. "Those Nomu weren't particularly strong, but I'm still impressed you handled them so quickly. As expected from the man who clawed his way to the number-two spot."

"Dammit, All Might," Endeavor growled out. "I did everything I could to get ahead of you, but the harder I worked the more obvious it became just how much of a widening gap separated the two of us. The stronger you got, the angrier I became." He whispered to himself, before planting his feet and facing All Might, ready to yell. "Stand up and show them why you're better!"

"If the only reason you are here is to cheer him on, I'd prefer you to remain silent," All For One sniffed, not amused with the display. They were not important to him. Much like annoying flies buzzing, encroaching on his territory. He raised his hand to attack, but Edgeshot zipped through the sky, canceling the attack.

"Think again! We're here to assist!"

"All of you came," said All Might.

"Of course, we did," Tiger said, stepping over the rocks while he cradled Ragdoll, and picked up the civilian. "We can't do much, but if we can just help a little, then we have fulfilled our duty."

"Thank you," All Might said in a hushed tone.

"You'll have to stop him, All Might," Tiger said, as the battle raged on around them. "This personification of evil. Pros and citizens everywhere are praying for your victory. No matter what you look like-." Flashes of flames and red light lit up the sky, as sounds of explosions joined forces. "-you're still everyone's number one hero!"

"Toshinori," Gran Torino thinks to himself. "You are a pillar."

All Might shakes as he takes in the support being thrown his way.

"One that must not be broken."

His heart blooms with the acceptance.

"You are the number one hero."

His back begins to straighten.

"You can hear them, can't you?"

Around Izuka and Bakugo was a crowd of cheering fans, all showing their support to the number one hero.

"Even after everything, he's done so far. The entire world continues to cheer you on. Their united voices cry out for your victory!"

A well of emotion struck inside the hearts of those watching.

"That includes your students, whose admiration knows no bounds."

All Might stood proud.

"Who aspire with their whole hearts to be like you."

Izuka watched tears in her eyes, as the man on the screen blurred into two.

Around them, a cry arose, "All Might!" Everyone stood together, against an impassable enemy, backing their number one hero.

"Hm," All For One said, not amused with this change of events. "How pointless." A beam of light ripped through the air, a shockwave spreading out, as a force ripped through them. All Might stood against the power, grunting, as he clawed to keep his balance. "Let's stop dwelling on heroism and start focusing on reality."

His limbs bubbled out, mounds growing in size, as the harsh red light shattered the darkness. His muscles bulged, limbs stretching out among the main, metal bits littering the skin.

"The shockwaves until now were simply to wear you out. I knew it would take much more than that to kill you. In order to put you down for good, I'll punch you with the ultimate combination of quirks I have stored up within me right now. This will end you." He moved, raising the limb, as he began to attack. "It wasn't until I met our little Izuka that I knew for certain. One For All no longer resides within you. What you're attacking me with is just a lingering ghost. The embers that remain from what you've already passed on."

All Might stepped back, readying himself to attack, to show this man that embers were all he would need.

"And that fire gets weaker every time you use it."

The light engulfed his arm.

"Even now, it's a feeble spark, about to snuff itself out."

All For One-shot forward. His voice rang out for All Might to hear.

"Midoriya Izuka!" All Might gasped, wondering what he had done to come to that conclusion, and be so sure about it. "She's the child you passed One For All on to. She screamed as I sought to steal back the power." He grew near as the words were uttered. Anger flared up inside of All Might. "I'm sure you'll die full of regrets, All Might!"

A fist hurtled through the air as All Might readied his own attack.

"As a hero and as a teacher! Who are you, number one hero, if you couldn't even protect your student!?"

A clash of screams and pure raw power boomed through the clearing. Two powerful attacks met in the middle, a specter of blue rising from their connection before they were blown away. All Might pushed through it, his fist forcing its way through All For One, as he refused to break the connection. Blood spilled from his lips, pain erupted through his body, but he pushed that all back. He forced his body to keep going, for One For All to hold, just for a moment longer. He only needed it for a bit longer.

"You're right," All Might said. "As her master, I should have been there to protect her. I failed Izuka. Which is why I have to make it up to her." He screamed, pushing through, bearing down on All For One.

"I see," All For One muttered. "The weak embers inside you are resisting. Trying to rekindle some of your former strength. A desperate attempt to rage against the inevitable and to fulfill your duty. But it's not enough!"

A flash of light bloomed, as All For One, pushed forward, his muscles growing. Blood splattered from All Might's body as he's pushed back, the enemy gaining ground.

"When you think you can't go on anymore, remember," Nana's memory rang in his mind.

His foot dug into the ground. Kicking up rock as he desperately held his ground.

"I'll beat you, not because I'm a symbol, but because I will do as my master did for me. Until I finish training young Midoriya until she's ready."

The hand holding onto All For One sputtered out. The glow lost.

"It's embarrassing how much you're resisting," All For One said.

"… I won't…"

His other hand lit up, swinging around, as he kept his assault on the danger in front of him.

"Perhaps I was wrong."

"I refuse to die!"

His fist sliced through the air, connecting with the side of his head, as a shockwave shuttered out from the point of impact. Blood dripped from his arm, coating the ground around them.

All For One dodged, swung around, as he countered with his other arm.

"A clever trick. That's so unlike you."

The enemy's other arm burst forth with muscle.

"That's because I didn't-," All Might said. The light in his eyes shone brightly as he swung back around, blood bursting from his arm once more. "-put my back into it that time!"

"This power has been passed on from hero to hero," Nana explained.

A light of each existing successor flowed through the dark, passing on to the one after, glowing brighter with each stop.

"Each praying that it will bring joy and peace to humanity. That One For All will give the world hope. And now it is your turn. Do your best, Toshinori."

All Might could see Nana behind his eyes holding out the power toward him, as he grabbed it. His bruised and battered hand closed around the power, feeling it build inside, as he carried it forward.

All For One growled, frustration ripping through his teeth, as all he could do was watch as All Might neared.

"Goodbye, All For One."

His fist ripped through the air, the impact splintering his bones, as he connected with a direct hit. The force exploded behind All For One's body and for one moment time suspended itself, before his body caught up, and the ground erupted around him.

"Goodbye, One For All."

The flame flickered out inside of him.

子猫

The screen above them played a picture of a devastated city, ravaged, and covered in dust so thick it concealed who had won.

Izuka sobbed as she pressed her back into Bakugo, his arm around her waist the only thing keeping her up, from kneeling on the sidewalk. The scene had played out in clear detail, the bloodlust lunging forward at the sight of blood on All Might's hand, before being soothed by the touch of her soulmate. Bakugo could feel the tension in his body tighten, the only thing holding the two of them up as he stared immersed into the screen.

As the dust settled, they could see a wavering All Might still standing. His hand shakily rose into the air in a closed fist, the muscles jutting out as he activated his All Might form and stood victorious over the enemy.

Around them cries thundered as they watched their number one hero show that he had what it took.

"All Might wins!" the reporter cries.

The cheers rushed up enveloping the buildings. Izuka could feel it through her bones, the way they cheered for him, but her eyes were locked onto his form. The blood danced across her eyes. For a moment the scene wavered, shifting, until they were back in a dark alley, with blood dripping down his arm, and a battered body lay at his feet. She shook her head. The bond rushed forth easing the pain that flitted across her mind. The cheers were deafening but they helped anchor her to the moment.

"The villain's not moving! He's knocked out! All Might stands victorious!"

His body bursts, the All Might, muscle and all, stood before them.

"He's saved us once again!"

He stumbles forward with the weight of what he was doing. He struggled to keep the form up.

"Just one more minute," he whispered to himself. "Stick with me for one more minute."

"He shouldn't push himself," Edgeshot said.

"Let him be," Gran Torino said. "He's still working. This is his last job."

"A final act as the Symbol of Justice and Peace," Gran Torino thought to himself. "And the number one hero."

Around them, chants of All Might thundered against the sky. Izuka held onto those chants, letting them flow through her, as pride and devastation washed over her. A frenzy of activity overtook the screen. Showing the heroes at work, saving those who had been buried under rubble, and those who carted the villain away. Bakugo had begun to try to cart her away, her eyes still glued to the screen, but nothing was moving forward. There was a wall of people between them and their way out.

"Meanwhile, All Might and other heroes remain on high alert!" the reporter spoke. Her voice trailed off as behind them All Might could be seen moving.

His arm raised behind him, toward the camera, his finger pointing as his voice rang out clearly.

"Now. Now, it's your turn."

His words crashed into her. Around them, the citizens burst into cheers, and exclamations of wonderment, but all Izuka could do was stand there frozen. Her body had begun to shake once more. The power behind what he said, what she understood it to be, was far too much for her mind to handle. The rushing of the cheers in her ears drowned out the worried question Bakugo had sent her way. She could feel the way he turned back toward her, lightly tugging at her arm, before his own attention diverted to what All Might had said.

His message was only a few words long. Those around her understood it as a message to the other criminals, a warning that the Symbol of Peace endured, but to Izuka that finger raised, those haunting words spoken, meant the exact opposite.

He had used up everything.

His time as the Symbol of Peace had come to an end.

And now it had been left up to her.

Everything she had been given, had trained for, it would be up to a broken mess of a girl to take over.

One that couldn't even look her master in the eyes without wanting to gouge them out.

Tears coated her skin in a salty sting as she raised her arms to rub them away with the dirty sleeve of her shirt. Behind her, Katsuki stood staring. She hadn't realized it, but at that moment, she had been muttering the same two words over, and over.

"Not ready."