Chapter 25: I Will Survive

Review Replies

Harleking31: Ah the time to kick ass gets closer

Dragon Emperor0: Two will enter this fight. Only one will leave. This will be good and evil's finest hour. Prepare yourselves, dear readers! This is the end of an era!

ThermalsniperN7: Exactly. This is gonna be mental.

NinjaFang1331: Awesome chapter and I like how even Izuku can get scared still if All for One is around.

Dragon Emperor0: Well yeah. Back when he still had his immortality, he didn't fear anything because he never had to worry about death. Now that he isn't immortal, he has the perspective that he can die now. Of course he'd be scared.

ThermalsniperN7: Immortality has a way of shutting off self preservation when it's present in oneself, and those same instincts return when it vanishes.

Vmandy: Sma error12 inches equals a foot, so 6'0" is essentially 5'12"

Dragon Emperor0: You sure that's an actual error, mate? That kind of measurement doesn't make a lick of sense.

ThermalsniperN7: There are people who grow into the 6' range, like myself IRL.

XxKonekoLoverxX: Couldn't izuku or king heal ilda's brother? I mean he healed All Might's stomach and that was almost completely gone so a bone shouldn't be too much trouble if he has the right blood type.

Dragon Emperor0: He did, actually. It was mentioned in a chapter after the one you read. The fruits of his labor should appear later.

ThermalsniperN7: Right.

Catmage508: You know I was reading this and thinking it was a okay fanfic, but then I got to this point and your responses to some peoples genuine criticism is just yikes

Dragon Emperor0: You'll have to be specific, because there's a difference between constructive criticism and people nitpicking while feigning constructive criticism.

ThermalsniperN7: Exactly, and it's the nitpicking we take offense to.

-Kamino Ward-

Izuku and the rest of the makeshift rescue team were tense in pure fear. The ancient menace the ex-immortal spoke of was on the other side of the wall they were behind, and they could barely move.

'Damn it, this is the last thing we needed tonight!' Izuku cursed internally.

Then they heard the sound of clapping coming from AFO.

"I see why you're the number 4 hero, Best Jeanist." The man mused. "That blast should have annihilated the lot of you, but you moved everyone out of the way in the knick of time." He nodded. "Quick thinking, consider me impressed." He added.

'This guy is a monster…!' Best Jeanist thought as he forced himself upright with some fibers on the back of his jacket. 'But that's no excuse to just stop and do nothing!' He added as he sent a wave of fibers at the ancient villain, only for a counterattack to pierce his midsection, causing him to fall unconscious from the shock.

The kids all nearly fainted when this happened, just what the hell was this guy?!

'He took out four pros like it was nothing!' Kirishima thought.

'I know I have to move, but my body…' Momo muttered mentally, her heart racing.

"Won't let me!' Izuku thought as All for One floated to the ground.

"I see, your quirk is powerful due to practice and experience. Not raw power." The Symbol of Evil mused. "I don't need it. It wouldn't fit Tomura's disposition." He continued, looking at his own hand, grasping. "No. There's a much better quirk out there, one I've been so very eager to encounter for myself." He added.

"What kind of quirk could you possibly be so interested in?!" Cheshire growled.

"Oh I'm sure you already know. After all…" The leader of the League said. "You're the one who helped its user train in purgatory." He added, looking straight at him.

"M-Midoriya?!" The dimension hopping Hero gasped.

Meanwhile, behind the wall, Izuku knew he was supposed to be scared that AFO had taken interest in him… But the fact that All for One didn't even know he gave up his immortality was just too amusing.

"Man, he's gonna be so disappointed...!" He whispered with a quiet snicker.

As he said this however, the same slime portals opened again, dumping the LoV and Katsuki out in front of All for One, who turned to look at them.

"Gah! What the hell–was that?!" The blonde coughed.

'Kacchan/Bakugo!' The others thought in worry.

"My apologies, Bakugo. I admit, this particular quirk is not the finest tool in my set." The man apologized as the other villains got their bearings.

"Blegh! That was so gross!" Toga complained as she coughed out the last of the slime.

"This black stuff reacks! I love it!" Twice exclaimed.

"Master…" Tomura muttered, kneeling in front of his mentor.

"Tomura, you failed again." The ancient villain commented in a dry tone. "But I know you. You'll keep trying again and again until you get what you seek." He continued, placing a hand on his pupils head as he caressed it. "Do not be discouraged, my boy. Start over as many times as you have to." He added. "Because I am here to assist you, and I always will be." He nodded with an audible smile.

'What the hell is this guy…?!' Katsuki thought as he clenched his knife tightly. It was around this moment that All Might arrived.

"Ah, there you are." All for One said, causing the kids to tense, thinking he'd found them–only for him to catch All Might flying towards him.

"I'll have you return my student, All for One!" The pro hero boomed, the power of OFA ripping around all over the place.

"Have you come to kill me a second time, All Might?" The Symbol of Evil retorted as he held his ground. "It took you longer than expected to get here." He continued as the two skid back, shaking his cramping hand. "It's only five kilometers from the bar to here, yet it took you at least thirty seconds to get here after I sent the Nomu. You've gotten weaker, All Might." He added.

"Nowhere near as weak as I could've been!" The man growled as he clenched his fists. "Besides, you're one to talk, kind of hard not to notice that life support mask you've got on." He added. "Are you over exerting yourself?" He taunted.

"Don't flatter yourself." The man retorted, dusting off his shoulder.

'This… monster just held All Might back with his bare hands!' Taida thought with a gulp.

"There's too many of them, we need to get Kacchan out of there–so All Might can have room to fight." The Sin of Greed said.

"How, though? We can't actively fight the villains to get him out of there because of the legal crap!" Taida hissed.

"Maybe we don't need to fight." Izuku muttered as he started thinking of a plan of action. "Or at least, you guys won't." He amended.

"What do you mean?" Iida questioned.

"This plan's gonna sound crazy, so I'm going to need you to listen, all of you, very carefully." He responded, causing everyone to lean in.

Back with All Might and Katsuki…

"I won't repeat the mistake I made five years ago, you can be sure of that." The Symbol of Peace stated. "I'm going to end you, right along with your stupid, despicable League of Villains!" He yelled, rushing at them.

"No you don't!" The Symbol of Evil growled as he intercepted his nemesis–blowing him back with an attack that was eerily similar to All Might's own punches. "Tomura, take your group and Bakugo so you can leave." He told his student.

"But, master, what about you?" The Decay villain questioned.

"I am unimportant, Tomura. My old flame will not last forever, which is why I will leave the rest to you!" The man stated as he sent rivets into Kurogiri. "Forcible Quirk activation: Warpgate!" He intoned as a portal opened.

"Master, what are you doing?!" Tomura gasped in surprise.

"Making sure you have a chance. Now go!" All for One ordered.

"Like hell I'm going anywhere with you asshats!" Katsuki yelled, pointing his knife at the LoV in preparation for a fight.

However, before the fiends could even move, the wall behind them suddenly blasted apart from behind–and from within the smoke came the sound of… humming? Or was it whistling.

"... Ban." A voice said before a blur came out of the smoke and slammed a backhanded fist into Magne's face, causing him to accidentally activate his quirk on Toga, who was standing in front of the portal, dragging the male members towards her.

"What the–?! Uh, you guys are flying at me too fast!" She exclaimed nervously before all of the LoV members suddenly felt weaker, including All for One who had a very noticeable reduction in his power.

"Ah, so the undead reject finally shows his face." All for One said as he staggered from the strength loss, right as Tomura was being pulled through the portal.

"Master!" The man cried as he disappeared, leaving the three alone as the dust cleared and showed Izuku standing there, grasping his hand as if he'd just stolen more power.

"Hello, All for One." Izuku said in a tense tone as he tried to put up a brave face to hide his fear. If there was one thing that was mandatory in this fight, it was showing no fear. "Am I late?" He questioned, forcing his usual cocky smirk as he cracked his knuckles.

(Flashback)

"You're going to do what?!" Taida questioned incredulously as Izuku finished explaining the whole plan.

"I'm going out there to distract them. Fighting is the last thing I plan to do, but I'll definitely take power from each of them." Izuku responded. "If I can do that, I can give it to All Might when we escape and give him a chance to regain the ground he's lost." He added.

"But what if something goes wrong?" Momo questioned her classmate in well placed worry.

"Then I'll handle it." The Fox Sin told them, walking towards the opposite end of the wall. "Remember our agreement, if this gets out. Put the blame on me." He added. "No one else."

(Flashback End)

"No, you're not late. In fact, you're right on time." The old villain chuckled darkly.

"Young Midoriya, run! This is a fight you can't just tank and shrug off!" The No. 1 Hero yelled urgently.

"Oh come on, All Might." The boy said, smirk still forced as he tightened his gaze on the Symbol of Evil-right before rushing at him–kicking up a wind blast in the process as All for One narrowly avoided a kick meant for his face. "Have a little faith." He added as the force of the missed kick still sent everyone backwards.

"Ngh… You are a natural born nuisance." All for One growled. "But when I take your immortality, none can ever hope to depose me!" He added with a n audible grin.

"Well then, you should probably know that…" The Sin of Greed said as he popped his neck. "Unfortunately, I'm no longer immortal." He stated.

"Wh-What?" The ancient man uttered, taken aback by the response he got.

"That's right, I gave up my immortality in favor of bringing my girlfriend back." Izuku stated with a grin, causing All for One to tremble in fury.

Here stood someone that had a quirk for immortality, and he just gave it up for his girlfriend! He had one of the greatest quirks of the age, and he chose the path of inevitable death! Unbelievable!

"How could you throw away something anyone and everyone would kill for?!" The Symbol of Evil yelled angrily, and All Might had to admit, it was nice to see his nemesis raging for once.

"That is the most naive thing I've ever heard come out of that mouth of yours." Izuku deadpanned. "Haven't you heard? Immortality is a curse if you have to spend eternity alone." He declared.

This seemed to hit the old man rather well, causing him to look down at his hand–remembering the times he'd felt it on his brother's head when they were young.

"Yes, I suppose that is rather true, isn't it?" The man mused, turning back to the boy. "It is rather lonely, at the top." He continued, before clenching his fists. "How disappointing that you won't be able to know what that's like!" He yelled as he attacked again.

Izuku growled as he retaliated with a kick aimed at the villain's face again, forcing him to dodge and stagger back a bit.

"You won't survive this night, you bastard!" The Fox Sin growled as he went on the offensive, and thanks to him stealing a good chunk of All for One's power, the villain couldn't retaliate as easily as he'd have liked.

'I don't believe it! Young Midoriya is actually forcing him back!' The No. 1 Hero thought in astonishment before he got serious. 'I need to be ready! The second he finds a window, All for One will go and exploit it!' He added.

As he thought this, Izuku started unleashing a flurry of swift and powerful jabs at All for One, then a left and right cross, followed by the same combo, and then got on his side and started rapidly kicking him with shocking speed.

'Rgh! That Purgatory training has definitely done wonders for him!' All for One thought as he grit his teeth under his mask while blocking the kicks.

As Izuku leaped back to his feet and got ready for another attack, his target found a window and punched him in All Might's direction, the teen blocking the blow and skidding to a stop beside his mentor.

"On a scale of one to one hundred, how much do you wanna yell at me?" The viridian haired teen questioned as he glanced at his mentor.

"Two hundred, but that can wait." The No. 1 Hero replied. "Can that power you stole help win this fight?" He questioned.

"In your hands, yeah." Izuku nodded in reply, cracking his knuckles. "But first, need to create an opening." He continued. "Oi, Kacchan! Get ready! We're about to blow this popsicle stand!" He called.

"Just what're you planning?" The pomeranian questioned.

"Just watch." The boy told him before rushing at All for One again and clashing hands with him, struggling like he and All Might had just moments prior. "Alright guys!–Do it now!" He yelled, right as a Heaven Piercing Ice Wall shot into the air and Kirishima broke through the wall with King and Iida, all of them blasting up the ramp of ice.

"What the–?!" The Symbol of Evil gasped in shock before Izuku reared his head back and slammed it into the man's mask, sending him careening back and cracking the device in question.

"Alright All Might, now it's up to you!" Izuku exclaimed before he used Gift to send the power to his teacher, who immediately felt the difference.

"COME ON!" Kirishima yelled down to them, arm outstretched.

"Kacchan, do it!" The Fox Sin told the Dragon Sin.

"Right!" Katsuki nodded as his friend and rival grabbed his shoulder, allowing him to send both of them flying toward the rescue team.

The two then landed on Taida's pillow as he flew them away.

"You idiots!" The blonde smirked.

"We're idiots who are either brave or dumb enough to go through with this rescue!" Taida shot back with a grin, before turning away. "Personally I thought we should've just let the villains keep you." He huffed.

"I think what King means to say is that he's happy you're okay, man!" Kirishima told him.

"Yeah. Thanks for flipping the legal shit off for this, guys." Katsuki sighed as they flew.

"... Okay, who are you, and what have you done with Bakugo?" Iida questioned with a bewildered tone.

"Hey, Purgatory has a way of humbling people, okay?!" Katsuki snapped back indignantly.

Izuku couldn't help but shake his head at this, some things just never change.

(Elsewhere)

Back with All Might and All for One, the symbol of peace took a deep breath as he felt himself regain all the power he'd expended while holding back from earlier–and then some!

'Maybe I'll tone that two hundred down to a modest seventy-five…' He mused before he glared at his nemesis. "This is it. It's just you and me, All for One." He declared.

"No it's just me, All Might!" The Symbol of Evil retorted as the two stomped towards each other.

"At the end of this night, one shall stand, and one shall fall. I refuse to let this continue any longer!" The Symbol of Peace yelled as they started running towards each other.

"Likewise!" His nemesis responded, running as well.

The two titans reared their fists back and threw them forward as they got close to each other, the collision creating a powerful shockwave that ended up leveling several of the surrounding buildings.

It was at this point that Gran Torino arrived on the scene, witnessing the scene before him–and the condition of his former pupil.

"What the–? I thought he'd be running on fumes by now. What happened?" He wondered.

"I won't let this continue? Now there's a phrase that takes me back." All for One said as he started increasing his power output to match All Might. "Who was it that said that to me? Oh, I remember, it was your mentor–Nana Shimura." He continued, pushing back against his foe. "A waste of a woman with no skill and lofty ideals that she couldn't live up to. The fact that I–the creator of One for All– had to watch her use it in such a paltry way was beyond irritating." He added. "The only thing I think that woman even had going for her was her beauty–shall I tell you how she died?" He taunted.

"Nana Shimura was a great woman, and an equally great hero! I won't let you sully her name!" The No. 1 Hero growled as he pushed back. "So KEEP HER NAME OUT OF YOUR FILTHY MOUTH!" He roared.

All for One then used this moment of anger to knee kick the blonde in the chin, sending him flying into the air and on a collision course with a news helicopter.

Luckily for the people aboard it, however, Gran Torino was able to intercept him and get him back to the ground.

"You're making the same mistake you did six years ago!" The old man grunted as they landed. "He's exploiting your anger. Calm your nerves and use your wits, Toshi." He told his former pupil.

"Yes sir." The man nodded as they landed.

"What happened? I thought you'd be running on fumes by now?" The quick hero questioned.

"It was young Midoriya, he used Snatch to steal power from as many people as possible and gave it to me somehow before he escaped." The hero explained. "Though I have no idea how he did it." He mused.

"Save that question for later and count your lucky stars." The old man told him. "If you have enough power, you can finally finish the job properly this time." He added as they stomped towards a waiting All for One.

"I find myself conflicted." The centuries old man mused. "Tomura was the one who had been chipping away at the public's trust in heroes. So is it really fair that I land the final blow?" He questioned as he walked towards the two. "Though I suppose it would be fitting–two titans of a previous and bygone era killing each other to make way for the era that's starting behind them." He continued, dusting his hands off. "Poetic, don't you think?" He added.

"There is a semblance of poetry to this, I must admit." All Might mused as he mulled it over, and could see the way the fight looked: two of the strongest powerhouses of the past, snuffing out each other's lives to pave the way for the future, and leave a legacy behind for the next generation.

"You know, All Might, as much as you hate me–I probably loathe you more." The Symbol of Evil said as they neared each other. "I killed your Master, sure. But you took so much more from me, everything I tried to build." He continued. "That's why I want you to suffer before I kill you." He added, his arm bulging. "Broken and disgraced, for all the world to see!" He yelled.

"I'd like to see you try!" The No. 1 Hero shot back as he got into a stance, ready to catch the blow.

However, All for One took notice of a woman in some rubble behind his nemesis, causing him to smirk darkly under his mask.

"Not everyone's so fast, you know." He grinned as he released the same blast from before, forcing All Might to block it with his body–but to his frustration, he didn't deflate. "How frustrating, it seems that Izuku Midoriya's efforts are still paying off." He growled.

"Having a pragmatic successor has its perks." All Might grinned wittily, hoping to get under his nemesis' skin with his remark and turn the tables.

"Ah, I forgot how stubborn you can be." The man sighed as he shrugged. "Although, there is something I'm sure you'd like to know, All Might." He continued. "Tomura Shigaraki, my beloved apprentice? He's Nana Shimura's grandson, Tenko Shimura." He added, a dark smirk on his face.

"... Wh-What?" The man choked out as he froze up at the revelation. 'I-I threw blows at Nana's grandson! Young Midoriya even hurt him! What would Nana say if she found out what he turned into?!' He rambled in his head as he freaked out internally.

"My my my, what's wrong, All Might?" The Symbol of Evil questioned, turning up his cheeks with his thumbs. "Where's your famous smile now? You look like you've seen a ghost." He chortled.

'That's it! That's fucking it! I'm going to kill him for desecrating Nana's memory like this!' All Might thought as his shock gave way to righteous fury.

He knew now what his arch enemy had done: He found Tenko at a young age and groomed him to hate him (All Might) to the point that he would actively seek to topple society and let anarchy rain.

This was a travesty, a heresy of the highest order–and he would not stand for it.

"ALL FOR ONE!" The mountain of a man roared as he charged at his mortal enemy as Gran Torino helped the woman from before–both her and everyone else watching the battle cheering him on.

If the blonde hero wasn't invigorated before, he certainly was now. He let out another roar as he threw fists with his nemesis, the shockwaves sending rubble flying.

The other pros including Endeavor also arrived to observe the fight.

"SHOW HIM WHY YOU'RE BETTER, ALL MIGHT!" The No. 2 Hero roared over the shockwaves.

'Enji…' Toshinori thought as he recalled his old classmate, before he turned back to the task at hand. "This is the end for you, now and forever!" He yelled as he kept bashing his foe's skull in over and over, the power slowly going away and his form receding–but the damage was still being done.

"I won't let you kill me, All Might!" All for One yelled defiantly as he tried to punch back, but the force behind the blows he was taking were leaving him dazed enough for his punches to miss their marks.

"Likewise, All for One!" The Symbol of Peace yelled as they clashed with one more punch, causing an explosion that created a meteor sized crater–and revealed All Might's non muscle form!

"Ah, finally, now everyone will see your weakened… Body?" The villain said, the top of his suit destroyed, until he stopped upon seeing something completely contrary to what he originally expected.

The man's deflated form looked like it was that of a healthy man who had taken care of himself regularly, and showed signs of bouncing back from malnourishment. Even his face looked like it was fine.

"What's the matter? Surprised?" The blonde taunted.

"But, that's impossible! I saw you the day we fought, entrails spilling out everywhere! You shouldn't have been able to–!" The man exclaimed, still in shock.

"And who do you think contributed to my recovery?" The hero grinned, already envisioning what was about to happen next. "Think long and hard, All for One. Just who could've helped create a healing agent that could heal the wounds you gave me?" He questioned.

"Izuku Midoriya…" The Symbol of Evil growled, shaking with anger. "Now it all makes sense. Why you recovered, why this battle has taken so long, and why One for All seems weaker than it was five years ago." He snarled. "You passed it along to him, didn't you? You're only using its embers now!" He added.

"On top of the power Young Midoriya stole from you and the rest of your League to give to me." The man smirked. "How does it feel to know that I recovered while you barely did?" He taunted.

"It feels like I'm going to enjoy murdering that meddlesome brat!" All for One yelled angrily as he started activating all the strength based quirks he had gathered. "Spring-like limbs. Kinetic Booster! Strength enhancer times three! Multiplier! Hypertrophy! Air Walk! Rivets! Spear-like bones!" He yelled as his arm morphed into a gruesome contraption of mangled flesh and who knows what.

"What in the world…?!" Gran Torino gasped as he looked at the messed up limb.

"This is the culmination of all the strength quirks I've collected since the dawn of the quirk age! This will be what kills you!" All for One roared at his nemesis.

"Then let this be our final clash, All for One." Toshinori said as he called on the last embers of One for All to bulk up his body, one last time.

After this, both his and All for One's times would be over.

The two titans charged forward with bellowing roars, their fists ready to clash. The second they were close to each other, they threw their fists forward, and All Might's arm ended up having blood burst from it, but it was nowhere near as bad as it could've been otherwise.

"You're right, All for One. I should have reprimanded Young Midoriya for coming here." The Symbol of Peace said as he pushed his foe back inch by inch. "I failed as his teacher–but at the same time, I'm proud of him, for taking my words to heart!" He added as he let the man blast past him to leave himself open, before striking him in the face by swapping to his left arm–breaking the rest of All for One's mask off.

"A clever trick! That's so unlike you!" The Symbol of Evil growled. "Still weak though!" He added, counter attacking.

"That's because I didn't put my back into it!" Toshinori shouted as he batted the man's arms away with a cross chop, leaving him open. "I failed as a teacher–so I must make it up to him–until Young Midoriya becomes a pillar ready to take my place, I refuse to die–I WILL SURVIVE!" He bellowed, as he charged the last of his power into his left arm–and twisted his waist to give himself more momentum–aiming straight for his enemy's heart. "Good bye, All for One." He said, smiling once more.

Then came the last words All for One would ever hear…

"UNITED! STATES OF! SMAAAAAAAAASH!" The blonde man thundered as his blow hit home, tearing a hole through All for One's chest and creating a tornado so powerful it reached somewhere in the F10 range, given it was sweeping up chunks of destroyed buildings.

After a few moments, it stopped, and Toshinori stood on All for One's form.

"Good bye, One… For All." He sighed as he pulled his fist back, blood covering it, and his enemy's barely beating heart in it.

"Tomura… forgive… me…" The leader of the League of Villains muttered weakly, before his last breath was drawn, as All Might crushed his heart in his hand.

The nightmare was finally over…

(Meanwhile)

Izuku and Katsuki stood with the rest of the rescue team, all of them looking at a CCTV that was showing the fight between All Might and All for One. When they saw the old villain's heart get crushed, everyone felt sick at the sight of so much blood.

But it was accompanied by a wave of cheers of relief as All Might went into his muscle form one last time, and raised a triumphant fist in the air for all to see–his final act as the symbol of peace.

"It's over… It's actually over…" Taida muttered, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Yeah… But it's also the beginning of something bigger." Izuku muttered in agreement.

As everyone cheered his name, happy that their hero was alive, the sun rose and everyone watched as rescues were done and All for One's remains were gathered.

But as this occurred, All Might did something that got all of their attention–and shocked a few select people in particular.

He turned to the camera that was on him, and pointed at it, as if addressing who was on the other end.

"Now…" He said, his voice ragged, tired, almost defeated. "Now it's your turn." He added.

To many, this was a message to the villains of Japan that they were next on the block. However, Izuku knew the true meaning: It was his turn to uphold society now. All of this was riding on him.

The Sin of Greed could feel his shoulders getting heavier already…

Dragon Emperor0: And so there it is, the end of an era. Guess now it's up to Izuku and Shigaraki to continue on their masters' legacies–however differing they may be. I just hope they're ready.

ThermalsniperN7: They more than likely aren't… But they're gonna do it anyway. They have a lot of hardships ahead of them, so they're in for a harsh tempering from the world they live in.

Dragon Emperor0: And for those of you who are curious about where we got the idea for Izuku's little entrance to the fight–it's from AJustall's Seven Deadly Sins Rap Cypher. Specifically the start of KBN Makoto Chrollo's Ban verse. I heard that with the visuals the video used and thought 'Yep, this'll fit'.

ThermalsniperN7: Also, All for One is dead. Not big surprise. This means he won't cause any problems later down the road, and eliminates the possibility of all the evil things being tied to him narratively.

Dragon Emperor0: Well, everything in the present, mind you. That aside, be ready for next week, cuz that's when we'll finally, finally be getting into the later part of Season 3, so we can get Izuku ready for Season 4. I've been waiting for this for a long time now, and I can't wait.

ThermalsniperN7: This should be fun. Anyway, see you guys next time.