Chapter 14

The Will to Save

Izuku couldn't believe what this man was saying. He made a bargain with the one who brought him here, and now he is someone that needs to save this world. "But why me, they're better heroes than me, so why me," Izuku questioned. Kitsune looked at him, it was silent for a moment until he started to laugh. "That isn't even a hard question, tell me Izuku, who was the one who jumped into danger after seeing a boy trapped in a sludge monster," Kitsune stated.

"It was you who showed that you have the will to save anyone, so why not you," Kitsune answered. Izuku was still not convinced, he still doubted the man, "But still, I'm just a hero-in-training, why go so far to save this world," Izuku asked. Kitsune sighed, "You have room to grow, Izuku, your power and spirit will be tested, so ask yourself, this Izuku Midoriya, are you ready to become a symbol?" Kitsune asked Izuku.

Izuku was perplexed by his question, is he ready? Izuku didn't know what to say, but first of all was he worthy of it? Izuku for so long had doubted himself, a part of him still believes he's the useless Deku from before. "Let me rephrase that again, are you ready to save everyone?" Kitsune spoke again.

Izuku widened his eyes, those words. His dream, that's what he always wanted to do. He wanted to save people like All Might, that's all he wanted, ever since he was a kid. This may be a different world, but didn't he promise to Akame that he'll save Night Raid and her from the darkness that has forced them on the path of carnage? Izuku knew what he had to do now, in order to get home with Eri. "I.." Izuku started, "Hm?" Kitsune questioned.

"I don't know if I can do what you expect me to do, but…" Izuku looked at Kitsune with determination, "But I'll do things what I want to do, and that's to save these people who suffered long enough, I don't care if I become a symbol or not, all I ever wanted to do was to save people, so that's why I'll save them, whatever it takes," Izuku stated, determination lit his eyes.

Kitsune smiled under his mask, "I see, well then, I look forward to your progress, Izuku Midoriya," Kitsune stated. He turned to walk away but then stopped, "One more thing, your friends are in trouble, they might need your assistance near a clock tower by the park," Kitsune informed him.

Izuku widened his eyes, "What!" Izuku exclaimed. Kitsune turned to him, "I would suggest you hurry, before someone dies," the man warned him. Izuku didn't bother trying to question him how he knew, he busted through the dark dome with 20% Full Cowling and dashed towards the direction Kitsune pointed towards.

Kitsune watched him as his figure started to vanish through the night sky. He looked up and smiled, "I can't wait to see what you become out of this, Izuku," the man whispered.

Izuku was rushing through the city as he tried to avoid the public eye. Izuku put on his mask as he dashed through the night, he then spotted a clock tower not far from the city. He then heard gunshots being fired, "I have to hurry!" Izuku jumped from building to building.

Meanwhile Mein and Sheele were fighting a girl with auburn hair, Seryu had attacked them while they were retreating back to the base. Sheele was holding off Seryu while Mein dealt with her Teigu, Koro. Sheele clashed her giant scissor with Seryu's what looked to be tonfas. Sheele easily dealt with her by cutting both her arms off but guns replaced her arms as the protruded out of her cut arms.

But Sheele was ready for anything, Sheele blocked all of her attacks and cut the gun arms off. Seryu laid there as she looked like she didn't have any fight left in her. Sheele then looked where Mein was, only to see that she was close to getting eaten by the Teigu. Mein was awaiting her death but never came, she looked up to see Sheele cut Koro's mouth as he flew past them.

"Are you alright Mein?" Sheele asked. "Sheele," Mein sighed in relief but then a bullet flew through Sheele's left shoulder. Mein widened her eyes in horror as Sheele was paralyzed. Behind her, from a distance, Seryu had a gun in her mouth as she fired at Sheele. Mein then saw the shadow of Koro approaching Sheele. Everything froze for Mein as she was going to see her friend die right in front of her. Sheele couldn't move properly as she couldn't lift her Teigu right.

This was it for Sheele, she was going to die, Sheele wasn't ready though, she didn't spend enough time with everyone, especially with the new recruits, Tatsumi and Izuku, she had so much she wanted to do. She was paralyzed in horror, awaiting for the jaws of death to claim their prey….

…

…

…

…

…

…

...

But Sheele realized that the jaws never came, was she dead? No, she had little strength to move her head as she saw Koros head slammed to the ground as the rubble flew up and a crater was made. On top of the beast's head was a boy with a green and black costume, wearing a hooded mask, white arm braces with traces of blue, and a pair of white gloves. Electricity was dancing around him as his feet smashed into Koro's head. Mein was awestruck too, all they heard was these two words, "Manchester Smash!" A blast of wind hit them and an explosion of dust surrounded the area.

Sheele used her right arm to cover her eyes, Mein was covering her eyes too as dust and rubble were flying everywhere. Seryu didn't know what was going on but she saw a green comet plummet down on Koro. The dust cleared, the three that were present saw a boy standing in front of the Teigu, ready to engage it. To Seryu she couldn't see the face since a mask was covering them.

But to Mein and Sheele, it was their Auxiliary, the one that came to save them. Sheele tried to call him out but Izuku responded first, "Sheele, get Mein outta here now, I'll hold him off," Izuku ordered. Sheele widened her eyes, she refused, "You can't, it has regeneration ability, I'll-" Sheele was cut off when she saw the look that Izuku gave her, it was filled with determination.

Izuku was ready to do this, he couldn't back down now. "I'll be right behind you guys, don't worry," He gave them a reassuring smile. Sheele looked at him fro a second before she nodded and sheathed Extase and helped Mein up. Mein was still trying to process what was going on, "Wait, you can't be serious about taking that on!" Mein exclaimed. Izuku just kept smiling, "Just go, I'll be fine, I promise," Izuku reassured them.

Sheele had no choice but to comply as she helped Mein walk, Mein stared back at Izuku before she closed her eyes and started to run with Sheele to safety. Izuku then looked back at the dog beast, he knew twenty percent wasn't enough, so what could he do? The Manchester Smash only stopped him for a brief second. The beast growled at him.

Seryu smiled, "Koro, Devour," Koro then charged at Izuku, he opened his mouth, ready to bite down on him. Izuku dashed away from the beast's jaws. He skidded back as Koro slammed his mouth down where Izuku stood. Izuku looked at the beast as the beast proceeded to launch flurries of bites. Izuku then only had one option, to use 100%. It was risky, but he had to give it a shot. But while Izuku was thinking, Koro hurled his fist at him.

Izuku didn't have the time to dodge so he braced himself, the fist collided with him and sent Izuku flying. Izuku then caught himself as he gasped for air, He coughed up blood as the blow was more powerful than he expected. His whole body collided with the ground as an explosion of dust was made.

Izuku got up and flipped backwards as he dodged another fist from Koro. 'Crap I don't have time to think, I have to do this right now, it's all or nothing,' Izuku thought.

He then grabbed his right glove and removed it, he didn't want to damage his air force glove, so he removed it and stuffed it into his pocket. The beast then charged forward again, ready to slam his fist again.

Izuku jumped above the fist as he dashed towards the beast face. Izuku clenched his teeth, ready for the drawback. He was already upon the snout of Koro, he reeled his fist back as the energy stored up in his right arm started to glow brightly with red lights highlighting his veins. 'It's all or nothing, go beyond Plus Ultra!' Izuku shouted in his mind. His fist then raced towards the snout. His fist collided, "100% Detroit Smash!" Izuku shouted as the beast face was now inward as he felt the power of the fist.

The beast was then sent flying back towards the clock tower, smashing into it, creating a massive explosion of dust. Seryu was shocked that she couldn't move from her spot, her opponent showed the power difference between her and him. Izuku then looked at Seryu, she flinched as Izuku had a stare that could shaken someone to their core.

Izuku then lifted his left arm and made a flicking motion as he released a Delaware Smash at her, colliding with her face. She was now sent back a bit, Izuku used this to escape as the beast couldn't move either. He dashed towards where Mein and Sheele headed. Until he felt a bullet pierce through his left shoulder. He looked back to see Seryu was still willing to fight. She shot a couple of bullets as one grazed his cheek and one hit his right thigh. Izuku gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the pain.

Izuku cursed under his breath, he turned and was ready to launch another attack at her but then someone appeared out of the shadows behind her as he knocked her out. It was Kitsune, he then looked at Izuku as he motioned him to go. Izuku took the opportunity and ran for it, Kitsune then retreated back into the shadows.

Izuku was running as far as he could, away from the city so they couldn't capture him. He was losing consciousness by the impact of Koro's punch, also the bullet wound on his left shoulder and the other bullet wound on his right thigh were leaking blood, the scorched and bruised right arm he had. His vision started to get blurry, as he tried to shake it off but the blood was leaking out. He couldn't keep this up but he wants to be back at the base before he collapses.

Night Raid Base

Akame was in the kitchen as always, but with everyone else in there. Outside, it started to pour as everyone was forced to stay inside, "It's really coming down," Lubbock mentioned. Najenda was taking a puff out of her cigar, "They're late," she called out, Leone stared out the window, "Maybe there was a screw up, you think Sheele slipped?" Leone questioned. "Knowing her, it's a possibility," Tatsumi answered. "Lets just wait patiently alright," Bulat calmed the rest down. Eri was sitting at the table wondering what was taking Izuku so long to return.

Akame stared out the window, she felt something bad happen but she didn't know what. Lubbock was casually drinking water until he felt his strings move. He became alarmed until he identified it was just two people, "I got two people heading here," Lubbock informed, "It could be Mein and Sheele," Leone suggested. Najenda nodded, "But still be on guard," the rest of the team headed out to see who had returned.

They stood there in the rain, waiting for someone to come out of the trees. They anxiously waited, then saw two figures approaching the base. Akame became relieved to see two familiar people. Najenda sighed but then saw the two were injured. "Bulat get the med kit," Bulat then looked at the two and nodded. He rushed inside to get first aid.

Leone, Lubbock and Tatsumi approached Mein and Sheele with worry, "What happened," Leone asked. "We were ambushed unexpectedly," Sheele answered. Najenda looked at the two, "Who did this," she asked, Meine looked at her, "It was someone with the military police, she had a teigu, the inorganic one," Mein informed Najenda. She nodded.

"Well at least you guys are still alive," Tatsumi reassured them, Lubbock and Leone nodded. Akame smiled but Mein and Sheele had a solemn look. "By any chance did you guys spot Izuku," Najenda asked. Both of them widened their eyes. "We did…" Mein answered. Akame and Najenda noticed the difference in her voice.

Mein and Sheele looked at them with solemn expressions, especially towards Akame. "Izuku… helped us get them off of us," Mein informed them, "He...sacrificed himself...in order for us to escape," Sheele finished. Bulat came out with the first aid, he then noticed the atmosphere wasn't pleasant. "What happened," he asked. Najenda looked at him, "Izuku...is either missing, or dead," she answered.

Bulat widened his eyes then looked at the ground and clenched his fist. Lubbock started to form tears, Leone had a solemn expression like Mein and Sheele. Tatsumi on the other hand, had a horrified look, he couldn't believe it, he didn't want to believe, "Hey, that can't be true right? He couldn't have died that easily, right? Hey, answer me!" Tatsumi exclaimed. He was furious, he didn't want to lose someone important to him again. He may have just met him but they grew close to that of partners no close friends.

"I'm sorry Tatsumi," Sheele answered, Tatsumi clenched his teeth and his fist. "Calm down Tatsumi," Bulat tried to calm him down but that only infuriated him more, he turned his head quickly, "Calm down! How can I when I hear a close friend of mine is dead!" Tatsumi shouted, "There is no way in HELL I CAN CALM-" Tasumi shouted but only to be met with Bulat's fist.

Tatsumi fell on the wet ground. "Now is not the time to release your anger!" Bulat shouted back, "This is the life we chose, we will lose comrades along the way, all we can do is move forward Tatsumi!" Bulat exclaimed. Tatsumi wiped the tears away from his face. "Plus you're not the only one devastated by his death," Najenda stated. Tatsumi looked at Najenda as she pointed towards the direction. He looked towards the direction and widened his eyes.

He sees Akame with a sad expression, Eri was hugging her and crying her tears out. Tatsumi then clenched his fist, he remembered the words Izuku said to Akame, "I'll save you all, Akame, I'll be your Hero" Izuku's words impacted Akame heavily, It made Tatsumi feel saddened that he was helpless. He couldn't help his friend when he needed him the most. Leone went to comfort Akame as she wrapped her arms around her.

Akame looked down and closed her eyes, she then opened them. Leone looked at her friend, she had sadness in her eyes but she didn't show it. Akame kneeled down in front of Eri and hugged her tight. Eri cried as she gripped Akame tightly. To lose one of the people who saved you is devastating, especially at a young age.

Akame held her tears back, she was an assassin, she didn't want to let her emotions out, but why does his death hurt more than it should, she lost many comrades before, all of them hurt like hell, so why does this hurt even more.

Lubbock was sitting there as he felt all the grief take over, until he felt a tug on his strings. He looked at it, one string was moving. But slowly, he widened his eyes, "I got movement from my strings," Lubbock informed everyone. Eri stopped crying and looked at Lubbock. Najenda looked at him, "How many…" she didn't want to be hopeful but she wanted to know. Everyone stared at him in anticipation, "Just...One,"

Najenda wasn't relaxed yet, "Identify the position, Akame, Bulat, Tatsumi come with me. Leone and Lubbock, tend to Mein and Sheele," Najenda ordered. "Roger!" They all responded. Lubbock then felt his string stop moving, "They stopped moving!" Lubbock informed again. "Lubbock location!" Tatsumi exclaimed. "West from here it looks to be a cave nearby," Lubbock informed them.

Najenda was ready to go but then felt a tug on her sleeve. She looked down to see Eri looking at her. Najenda sighed, "I know you're worried but this could be dangerous," she warned. Eri then shook her head, "I need to see Deku-san" she stated. Najenda also shook her head, "I understand, but I can't have the risk of you being injured, if it is Izuku we'll bring him back, I promise," Najenda reassured Eri.

Regretfully Eri looked down and nodded. Najenda patted the girls shoulders and turned towards Akame, Tatsumi, and Bulat, "All right let's move out, remember be on guard," she ordered, "Roger!" They responded.

Nearby Cave

Izuku's breathing was staggering, as he was starting to lose consciousness. The bullet wound was getting worse as the bleeding kept leaking out. He did his best not to leave a blood trail, he was tired and exhausted. Not only that,, but fatigue of running here had him exhausted and also taking a punch from the beast was taking a toll on him. He felt his vision start to fade out, he couldn't afford to sleep. Izuku needs to head back to the base, to make sure that they can rest easy.

He leaned against the wall as he tried to calm his breathing, but blood kept leaking out from his right thigh and shoulder. And not only that but he was hungry, but still Izuku couldn't pass out now. He needed to make sure Sheele and Mein got back safely. Izuku tried to get up but all his strength was gone, all he could do was try to keep his breathing under control. Then darkness was slowly surrounding his vision.

Izuku couldn't keep his eyes open as he slowly started to drift. But before he could pass out, he felt a warm embrace envelope him. Izuku felt someone hug him, bit he didn't know who, he started to lose consciousness but not after hearing a voice, he slightly turned to a blurry figure in front of him. He remembered this feeling before, a gentle and warm embrace, for some reason the pain was getting to him. As he started to lose consciousness, he heard was a gentle and warm voice that whispered two words in his ear, "Welcome Back,"

End