"The path of your life can change in an instant." ~ Ann Brashares.
As Above, So Below
Izuku was thrown across the training room by a wind blast. He landed on the wall, causing him to cough up as his back made contact with the wall. Izuku was landed on his knees, and with his arms, he prevented his head from hitting the ground. Izuku was panting hard; it was difficult for him to breath already with the artificial system, but now with the pain that burned in his back, it was much worse. Izuku looked up, and he saw All for One standing in the middle of the room. Izuku did his best to impulse himself, but he could no longer move his arms, and so, he fell to the floor.
"You appear to be tired," All for One plainly stated.
"Oh, really?" Izuku asked in between breaths.
"We will leave your training here," All for One said. "I do not want you dying on me, after all,"
"How considerate," Izuku replied as he slowly but surely rose up to his feet. "You were rougher today…" Izuku said. "You could have warned me,"
"Consider it, my congratulations on a job well done," All for One said.
"If this is your definition of a reward, I'm not sure if I want to succeed next time," Izuku replied, now fully standing.
All for One chuckled. "You passed my test, and now you are truly in the organisation," All for One replied. "I can no longer go easy on you," All for One explained. Life is hard and cruel, and so I believe your training shouldn't be any different. I am preparing you for what is out there because, trust me, boy, you have only seen the tip of the iceberg…"
All for One began to walk around the room. "I am your master," All for One began. "But I am also your torturer," All for One stated. "From now on, you will make every effort to appease me, so appease me, boy," All for One then sat down on a chair that was in the room. "Tell me again how you killed them…"
Izumi and Shouko sat down in a secluded part of the school's massive yard. It was a lovely spot, surrounded by bushes and covered by a chorus of green trees dancing in a celebratory wind, and each of them ever ignited by sunlight. It was perfect; it was calming, just being there brings the soul into sweet surrender, at one with nature, vibrant yet relaxed. Every fragrance is fresh, like the page of a new book.
The girls ate their lunch, unbothered by the distance sound of chattering. Izumi and Shouko came here to escape the river of people that flood the school. Not many people know of that spot they are in, so it is the perfect place to go and release tension. It helps them escape the boys' lustful, gawking eyes and the girls' hateful, envious eyes. There, they didn't have to worry about anything, so they could talk and laugh freely to their heart's content.
As they were talking, Shouko remembered something she had meant to ask Izumi. "Hey, Zumi," Shouko asked, calling Izumi by her nickname. "When is Melissa coming?"
Izumi swallowed a noodle she was eating and cleaned her mouth. "A few weeks before the entrance exam for U.A, despite her grades, she still needs to take the test," Izumi explained. "Still, she will have to join from the first year, as she needs to know also about the industry,"
"I see," Shouko replied. "And does she know about your little 'power boost'?" Shouko asked as she placed some rice on her mouth. Shouko was let into the One for All secret by Izumi, as she didn't want to lie to her best friend.
"Not yet," Izumi replied. "I would rather tell her in person when she comes," Izumi explained.
"Oh, I see," Shouko replied. They both continued to eat, but then Izumi realised something that wasn't there the day before, Shouko had new bandages on her arm.
Izumi raised an eyebrow. "Did your father do something to you again?" Izumi asked.
Shouko froze for a second as her whole body tensed up. Shouko lowered her head, and then she gave a small nod which causes Izumi to sigh.
"You should report him to the police or something, you know?" Izumi replied. "Because if you don't, I sure as hell will," Izumi said. Her hands were slightly shaking while curled up in fists. Rage, that is all she felt when she thinks about Endeavor. The number two hero abusing his own children so that they will achieve what he was unable to because of his cowardice? What a cruel joke. There are two types of heroes: those genuinely doing it out of selflessness and those who are just there to rip off the benefits that such a position brings. Her anger threatens to explode when she thinks about the second group, which is far more common than she would like. Still, she will use that anger and channel it into her passions, making it her rocket fuel to create a better world. When she is at the top, she will use her influence to push the change society needs, and her first act of puppeteering behind the scenes will be to make sure that none of this fake heroes can hold the title of hero. And for those who have brought pain, then it won't be an eye for an eye; it will be an eye for two eyes.
Shouko had tensed up even more at Izumi's words. "P-Please, don't," Shouko quickly replied. "It won't be of any use…" Shouko said. "They will never believe us… He is the number two hero; they won't prosecute him for anything. Not even for murder, trust me, I know…"
Izumi sighed. "Fine, will leave it at this for now," Izumi said. "What about your brother?"
"Well… he is… there…" Shouko replied. "We haven't really talked anymore… Ever since the time you and Izuku kicked him when he threatened to punch me," Shouko explained.
Izumi couldn't hide the smile that memory brought her. It was just a few years ago. Shouko talked with Izuku at the departure time, so she accidentally took a bit too much time talking with him. This enraged Shoto, as he had explicitly told Shouko to be ready at a particular hour, and he wouldn't tolerate this 'defiance' as he called it. Shoto found Shouko and Izuku and grabbed her bu the hair, and threatened to punch her. Shouko, not being the confrontative type, just took the scolding, but Izuku would take none of that.
Having already mastered the basics of hand to hand combat, he punched Shoto in the face and pushed him away. Shoto was even more enraged by this further 'defiance', and so he retaliated. Having been trained by Endeavor for years, Shoto was not exactly a pushover either, so fighting commenced. They both landed some solid punches on each other, but they were at a stalemate. That is when Izumi joined up, not even bothering to ask questions, and she, along with Izuku, kicked Shoto up. Needless to say, ever since that day, Shouko was mostly left alone by her brother.
Izumi frowned and looked down, oh how she wished she could do that to Endeavor too. Still, the day when she will get to see all he had built, crumble is probably going to be one of the best days of her life. Endeavour has not only damaged her best friend and corrupted, who was once a part of their group, but he has also lied and cheated his way to the top. There can be no compassion for someone like him… There shall be no mercy…
Shouko walked down the street alone. Shouko often takes quite some time to reach her house, as she has no hurry to go into such a place. It once housed several happy memories, but that now just serves as a house of torture. Long has it been since the light of life left that godforsaken place. Currently, only shadows adorn it. For some, the shadows can be so welcoming, for they offer a chance to dwell in diffused rays, to rest. All shadows may do is mute colours, soften the volume of the daytime orchestra. Shadows are a guest, it is your choice to embrace them. While dependant on the shining sun, a passing memento to become nothing at all under the starlit night, in truth, they tell more of golden rays than darkness.
For other thought, the shadow brings grimness and dread. It is a darkness that robs you of your best sense and replaces it with a paralysing fear. Still, but it isn't the darkness or being alone in it that brings fear; it is the fact that we may not be alone in it… For when Shouko opens the door of her house, there, she sees him…
"From now and forevermore," All for One's booming voice said as he stood in the middle of the training room. "You shall be known as Dark Phoenix," All for One proclaimed. "He who rose from the ashes, crawling his way back from hell to return to the lands of the living, not as himself, but as a darker version of himself, for the darkness that was once trapped in his shell, has now been released," All for One said.
Izuku, kneeling in front of All for One, stood up straight and looked at him. "Thank you, my master," Izuku said. "I shall carry this name with great honour, for the Dark Phoenix shall become the symbol of the new era,"
"Very well," All for One replied. "From now on, you shall also carry many titles," All for One said. "While Nana will retain the position as head of the League of Villains, you shall bear the titles of Chief Strategist and Chief Fabricator," All for One exclaimed. "I need Ujiko to focus on another project of mine, so you will be taking up his role. You will have access to the vast resources we still have available to us, and as Chief Strategist, you shall be the one in charge of planning any operations we may want to do in the future. From now on, you shall also have more autonomy to do your own thing. Several weeks have passed since your official joining of the League now, and you have shown promise in your training, so I trust you to survive out there,"
"Yes, my master," Izuku replied, although he still didn't get used to calling anyone master.'
"Very well," All for One replied. "You will now begin to light up the match sticks that will eventually become the all-consuming fire that will cleanse this society from its impurities…"
Izuku stood in the middle of the training room alone. All for One had departed to do whatever he does, so Izuku had space for himself. Izuku had asked Ujiko to lend him some training bots, as he wants to see how he would do against someone who isn't All for One. Five training robots surrounded him; he wanted to start with a challenge. Izuku closed his eyes and breathed in deep. When Izuku opened his eyes, the robots were already charging at him, moving at speeds that were beyond human.
Izuku ducked under the punch of them, and then he stopped the knee of one of the other robots using his metal arm. Another of the robots caught Izuku from behind and lifted him. Izuku struggled against the robot, but he was unable to escape. Another robot charged at him, ready to hit him while he was pinned.
Meanwhile, Izumi also dodged one of the kicks from a training robot she had acquired on the other side of the city. Izumi then uppercut the robot, completely ripping off its head and sending it flying across the room. The robot's body fell to the ground, but Izumi had no time to relax as from behind her, a robot kicked her on the back, sending her flying across the room. Izumi spun in the air to face the robot and extended her hand.
As the robot charged against Izuku, using his legs, he deflected the punches from the tin can, deflecting and blocking. Then he managed to kick both of the robot's arms away, creating an opening, and Izuku took his change to kick the robot in the chin. As the robot began to fall down, Izuku using his two legs, kicked the robot and used the momentum to push himself backwards and land on his feet. The robot that was holding onto him still did not let go, but it was easier for Izuku to break away from its grasp in that position. When he did, Izuku immediately elbowed the robot on its forehead with his metal arm several times. When the robot fell to the ground, Izuku lifted his foot, and then he stomped on the robot's head, utterly shattering it. Izuku looked up and saw as the 4 remaining robots resumed their charge against him.
When Izumi extended her hand while she was spinning, an energy blast left her hand, and when it impacted the robot, it exploded into several pieces that flew in the air and then rained back upon the training room. Izumi landed on her feet, but she then had to block an incoming punch from another robot. She raised her arms in the form of an x to cover her face, but she was still sent flying and ended up landing roughly against a wall.
Izuku charged back against the remaining robots, and as he did, one of them threw a punch at him. When that happened, Izuku ducked under it, and then he took the opportunity to swipe its legs off the ground, and he did that, and the robot began to fall; Izuku rose up and then as the robot was falling, Izuku delivered an axe kick right into the robot's head. The robot's head shattered upon impacting against the floor. A robot charged against Izuku, and when it was at the correct distance, it threw a kick at Izuku. Izuku spun around it, and as the kick passed him, Izuku grabbed the robot's leg with his metal arm, holding it in a leglock. Izuku then fell on his back and brought the robot to the ground with him. Once there, Izuku pulled the robot's leg to his side and started to rip it off. Finally, after much tugging, Izuku managed to pull off the robot's leg. Izuku rolled on the ground, but then he quickly stood up.
Izumi pulled herself off the wall, but she was grabbed by one of the robots' throat as she did. Izumi was lifted by the robot, and she was then pushed down to the ground. The robot kept making pressure, so it was difficult for her to breath, causing her to turn purple, but Izumi would not let this be the end of her. Using the energy inside her body, Izumi channelled it into an electrical discharge that caused the robot to reboot for a moment. This opening allowed Izumi to kick the robot away from her. As the robot flew mid-air, it's system rebooted, and it managed to land on its feet. Izumi looked at the robot and extended her hand. Doing what she had done previously, she channelled her internal energy into lightning bolts which then impacted the robot. The robot's systems were fried, and it fell limply into the ground. Izumi turned around and saw a kick that was closing in towards her face…
As Izuku stood up, he was punched in the face by another one of the robots. Izuku was dazed by the punch, which caused him to lower his guard. Izuku was then kneed on the same robot's stomach, which caused him to spit saliva and some blood. Izuku fell back and rested against a wall. Izuku looked up and saw the robot's punch descending towards his face. Izuku managed to recover enough to react, and he rolled around to dodge the punch, which broke through the wall. Izuku stood up and, using the leg he had stolen from the other robot, swung it and smashed it against the robot's head. The robot stumbled back, and so Izuku threw the leg away and then charged towards the robot. Izuku grabbed the robot in a headlock, and then, using the momentum of the robot falling down, he spun and managed to rip off its head. Izuku threw the head away, and then he felt like something was tugging on to his pant. Izuku looked down and saw as the robot he had ripped off the leg from one was holding on to him. The robot extended its arm towards Izuku. Izuku grabbed the robot's arm and twisted it, and pierce the robot right through its head. Izuku looked up and stared at the last robot…
Izumi quickly grabbed the robot's punch before it hit her face. Using her augmented strength, Izumi began to pressure the robot's hand until it was destroyed. Izumi kicked the robot back, significantly denting its chest. As Izumi was still holding on to its arm, it was pulled off from the robot. Izumi then grabbed the arm and threw it like a spear at the robot. The arm pierced the robot through its weak part in the chest, utterly destroying its inner parts. The robot fell to the ground, in between a sea of bolts and cables. Izumi looked up and saw the last of the robots
The last robot ran towards Izuku at an even more significant speed than before. Izuku still managed to dodge, as he was still not as fast as All for One. When Izuku ducked, the robot tried to knee Izuku in the face. Izuku managed to raise his metal arm, but the kick was so strong that the arm was dented, and Izuku was thrown back. Izumi barely managed to dodge the punch coming from her robot. As the punch passed near her face, the robot opened its hand, and then it grabbed Izumi by the face; the robot threw her up in the air and punched her in the stomach, sending her flying back. Izumi landed on her feet, and she extended her hand and began to shoot several energy blasts at her. The robot dodged the incoming shots, running in between the openings, and when he reached the right distance, he tugged his arm back and readied to throw a punch at Izumi.
Izuku was punched in the face, lifted off his feet, and was sent crashing into a wall. The robot ran towards Izuku and grabbed him from the hair. Izuku raised his arms to shield his face as the robot repeatedly punched him. At one point, as the robot retracted its arm, Izuku lowered his arm, and when the robot threw the punch, Izuku grabbed the robot arm, placing one hand in the forearm and the other one in the elbow. Izuku then began to pressure upwards with the hand on the elbow and downwards with the hand on the forearm. The robot's arm snapped in two. Izuku then grabbed the other robot's arm, snapping away from its grasp, and then held in an armlock. Izuku then spun around and ripped off the robot's arm. Izuku threw the arm, then kicked the robot back, and then looked at the helpless robot standing in the middle of the room.
When Izumi's robot threw the punch, Izumi met it with her own. Izumi placed all her strength behind it, and this caused a significant shockwave to be released. The robot was sent flying back, but now it only had one arm, as the other one had been disintegrated by the shockwave. Izumi stepped out of the smoke and stared at her robot; it was time to end this. Both Izumi and Izuku ran towards their respective robots. Izuku jumped high and then land on top of the robot, bringing it down to the ground with him. Izuku then began to repeatedly punch the robot in the head as it started to crack. Izumi also jumped, and then in mid-air, she retracted her arm, readying the punch. Izuku also retracted his arm, and at the same time, they both brought it down on their robots. Their head shattered upon impact; the battle was over. Both Izuku and Izumi stood up and looked down at the remains of their respective robots. They were now ready; this was the beginning of their new lives.
A new life doesn't open up as a present, with pretty ribbons and assurance of comfort, yet more as a road of adventure with a degree of fog and chill; this is the road they will now walk in. It takes an adventurous heart to grab it, brave feet to travel it, and bold eyes to remain open to its curves and undulations. If it were any different, the masses would not stay in such unfulfilling lives from the cradle to the grave. To gain more is to accept that sensation of danger and risk as one reaches for far into the horizon, the same horizon they are looking at right now. Some say it's impossible, but for some, it's necessary, for when someone has burned down your house, and society believes you should keep on living in the ashes as if there was still a roof, walls and doors, one must seek a new life, a new home, and that is precisely why they are now going to walk down this irreversible path…
Author's Note: Hey there! I hope you liked the chapter! Sorry if you felt the fighting scene might have been messy, as it is my first time writing two battle scenes that are happening simultaneously. Anyways, I also decided to leave one of these because I wanted to make a small announcement! You see, today is a special day! First, it is my birthday, so hooray for me! And second, it is around the time when the original Mind vs Might came to an end. It has been a whole year since that happens; damn, I feel old. On this special date, I would like to thank everyone who has stuck around since the O.G. Mind vs Might times, as it has sure been quite the journey from there to here. Thanks for your continuous support; it really means a lot to me! I hope you have a nice day and stay safe!
