A/N: First off, the title comes from Imagine Dragon's song Battle Cry, a song that I'm honestly shocked no one has done a Kamino AMV for. Second, I know the Inko/Izuku trouble was controversial, so starting now, I'm letting you decide their future. I have a small arc planned to take place during the Endeavor Agency arc that will have an impact on the Midoriyas' relationship. Do you want to see them make up, or permanently break? It can honestly go either way.
Rewind
Chapter XV: In This Ground, It's Do Or Die
Two days after the attack, Kirishima called a meeting of 1-A at Takoba Beach. Izuku smiled at the text, knowing exactly what it was going to be about. Everyone else on the other hand was shocked when the redhead gestured to Momo. "With the assistance of Awase from Class B, I attached a transceiver device to the Nomu that showed up. I created a tracker and gave it to Detective Tsukauchi yesterday. If you want, I can make another so you can go after Bakugou."
"You would dare go against everything our teachers have taught us?" Iida demanded, his mind flashing back to Hosu. "We can't get involved, we need to leave this to the professionals!"
"How can I?" Kirishima demanded. "My boyfriend was kidnapped by villains and I was unable to stop it! How can I call myself a man, let alone a hero if I do nothing now?!"
"Wait, let me get this straight," Ashido said. "Yao-momo intends to create another tracker for a device that's on a Nomu, and you think it will let you save Bakuoguo?"
"I understand how you feel, Kirishima," Shoji stated. "But this is no time to let our emotions get the better of us. However, I would like to hear Midoriya's thoughts on this, especially considering Bakugou's last words."
"We're all shocked about Bakugou's kidnapping, but we have to think about this calmly, rationally. Your feelings don't matter, or your intentions. If you go out there to fight, knowing you're breaking the rules, then your actions are those of villains, not heroes," Tsu argued.
"We'd be vigilantes, not villains," Izuku countered. "And I'd rather be a vigilante with a clean conscience than a hero who can stand by and let innocents die because the rules say 'Don't get involved'." That was a rule he'd come up with after leaving Eri at the advice of Mirio. He'd been so brokenhearted at it that he vowed never to let something like that happen again, not on his watch. He turned to the others, looking each of them in the eyes before continuing. "If that's something you're not comfortable with, then you can leave, because there is nothing that will stop me from doing what I know is right, no matter the opposition or what the rules say."
Tsu was the first to leave, followed closely by Iida, who was practically steaming in rage at Izuku's words. Everyone else just stayed put, waiting to hear what he would say next. "Okay, to answer Shoji's question, this is the plan. We knew that the League would want to attack the training camp, we just didn't know for certain when they would do so. We also knew that they would want to capture at least one of us, so Kacchan decided to let himself be taken."
"What do you mean he let himself get captured?!" Mineta whined.
"Yeah, why would Bakugou do that?" Kaminari asked.
"Because his kidnapping is a key move to taking down the brains behind the League of Villains," Izuku said. Everyone started talking at once, but Izuku put a stop to that with a sharp whistle. "I will explain everything after we get Kacchan back, I promise. The point is that Kacchan's kidnapping has led the police and heroes to where the boss is hiding. However, since they aren't expecting him to show up, they can't rescue Kacchan, that's where we come in. We get Kacchan out, so that All Might can take out the boss: All For One." At the mention of All For One, Aoyama squeaked and ran off.
"How powerful is this All For One guy?" Ojiro asked.
"He's the most powerful villain that we could ever face, no questions asked. He fought All Might to a standstill six years ago and is the reason that All Might spent his Young Age in America," Izuku answered. Mineta ran off at that, no surprises there.
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Uraraka asked.
"And how can we help?" came another, familiar voice. Everyone turned to the source of the voice and found Kendo and most of Class B standing there. "Tetsu here heard about Kirishima's plan to meet you guys here and insisted we join," Kendo explained. "So, how can we help?"
"Are you guys up for some vigilante work?" Izuku asked. Every member of B there gave their assent, causing a smile to show up on Izuku's face. "Right then, to rescue Kacchan, I just need Momo, Shoto and Kirishima to join me. Kendo, I want you to pick out the classmates that are best suited for rescue work. I want Teams D, R S and M to join them. Momo, where's the tracker pointing us?"
"To a location near Tokyo Bay in Yokohama, Kamino Ward to be exact," Momo answered. "Oh, and you realize that you included everyone in the rescue work, right?"
Izuku stared at her. "I did? Oh, well then, everyone get ready. Kendo, you will lead the rescue group close to the coordinates, but I don't want you getting there until at least an hour after we do, preferably two. Momo, once Kacchan's been recovered, I want you to join them and help Kendo lead the rescue team. Just so you know, this is going to be a clash of the titans, so you need to stay safe until All For One is defeated."
"Will do, Valiant," Kendo responded, before naming off the classmates she wanted to join her. "All of you, get your costumes on. If we're going to be helping people, we should be wearing our costumes."
"I need to speak to you in private."
Dabi looked up at the speaker, and wasn't surprised at seeing who was asking. "Right. Kurogiri, send us to my usual place, and no listening in."
"You're letting him join you?" Kurogiri asked in shock. The scarred man wouldn't even let him or Shigaraki join him, so why Spinner, and why now?
"Just do it or I'll burn this place down." Kurogiri grumbled, but did as he asked and allowed Dabi and Spinner through. Dabi took a deep breath of the fresh air before turning to face the other vigilante.
"Where are we?" Spinner asked.
"Fuji, about halfway up the mountain and halfway between the Yoshida and Subashiri trails. It's pretty peaceful here, and I like coming up here to think. Now, what's up, Spinner?"
Spinner hesitated before answering. "You seem to be the only one here who is actually as devoted to Stain as I am, so I hope that you can help me with something."
"Let me guess, Midoriya said something, right?" The reptilian vigilante stared at him in shock. "Trust me, based on everything I've heard about him, that was the most logical explanation. So, what exactly did he say that you need to talk to me about?"
"He asked me about Stain's principles, and essentially how I could follow a hypocrite."
Dabi chuckled. "Yeah, sounds like him alright, he likes challenging our views on heroes. As I told the others, how we hold true to Stain is that we follow his actual ideals, not how he acted. Unfortunately, that means we need to take our time, because we need to see who actually acts like heroes and who is actually just in it for the money or the glory."
"What do you mean?" Spinner asked.
"Let's go with an example. Two heroes, each with fire powers. One proclaims that he fights for the people, one says he's only in it for the money. Going off what Stain said, it should be obvious who is the false hero, right?"
Spinner nodded, but he realized where Dabi was going. "But there's more to learn if one starts digging, right?"
"Bingo. The 'true hero' doesn't care about property damage or collateral damage and worse, he abuses his wife and children. The one who says he wants to get rich though, well, most of his hero work is the kind of stuff you'd only hear about in human interest stories. He gives his money away to the homeless, or to someone who can't pay their rent. He catches enough villains to make money, but doesn't go out of his way to find and fight them. He's also kind enough to take a hurt kid angry at the world and show him that not all heroes are hiding something."
At the last part, Dabi had become almost … wistful, as if he were reminiscing. That inspired Spinner to make his leap of faith. "You're one of the first hero's abused children, and the second helped you after you escaped. Who are they?"
"The real hero was called Phoenix, and he was one of Stain's purged heroes from three years ago. My father, well, I'm sure I don't need to tell you who he is." Spinner shook his head. No, his father was quite famous, and no words needed to be said to show he knew exactly who Dabi really was.
The four of them actually had to dodge Midnight and Snipe when they boarded the train. Thankfully the two pros were delayed by the civilians, who easily recognized them even though they were out of costume. The group of vigilantes immediately knew what must have happened to cause the teachers to show up: Iida had squealed on them. With any luck though, the rescue team wouldn't have to worry about that. "So, Midoriya, how much of the future do you actually know?" Momo asked about half an hour later.
Izuku looked at the two people who didn't know the truth yet and gave them a straight answer for once. "Enough to know that we don't need the disguises you're thinking about getting. The League has no idea that we're coming, or at least they shouldn't."
"And why didn't you have me put a tracker on Bakugou if him getting kidnapped was part of the plan?"
"Because All For One has a teleporting quirk, and that will allow him to bring Kacchan from the League's current HQ to him, and he is in a Nomu factory."
"A Nomu factory?!" the other three whispered in shock. "You'd left that little fact out before," Shoto complained.
"It's not important," Izuku said. "Mount Lady destroys it, or at least part of it tonight. Just to be on the safe side though, I would like it if you created some small explosives for us, Momo. It's probably not the only place Nomus can be found, but taking out as many as possible can only be a good thing, right?" Momo agreed, and Izuku bought her some snacks to make it up to her. By the time they arrived at Kamino, they had a bag containing more than a dozen shaped explosives.
They left the train at Shin-Takashima Station, and were immediately greeted by "It's UA!" Momo turned to give Izuku a dirty look, but he only pointed up at the jumbotron and the newscast being shown there. "We'd like to apologize," Aizawa started. "A recent incident has allowed harm to come to ten first year heroes, and we staff were ill prepared. It is our duty to train heroes, but also to protect them while they are training. We apologize for any trauma caused by our negligence, and any unease this may have caused you."
"Question from NHA. Since the start of the school year, this is the fifth time that at least one UA student has encountered villains. While you have publicly claimed an increase in security measures, what measures specifically have you taken and were taken this time?"
Nezu answered that question. "While I refuse to answer the specifics of the security around the school, as that would only invite more attacks, we have increased surveillance around the school and revamped our defenses, with the help of the renowned scientist Dr. David Shield as well as our own support department. For this occurrence, only the teachers directly involved and myself knew exactly where the students would be beforehand, and all the students had their phones confiscated for the first few days of the trip. There were no computer records of the trip, and all discussions were privately held between the three of us and the Wild Wild Pussycats. We honestly aren't sure how the villains discovered the camp." Izuku smiled, knowing that things truly had changed now. Rather than look on UA with suspicion and treating them like villains, the press were supportive of UA, and it was clear looking at the crowd that they stood by UA as well. This was a very good sign.
"Imai Sakura, I'm with the Tama Tokyo Nippo, so I hate to ask this, but I must. You claim to act with the students' safety in mind, yet you told them to fight at the training camp, putting them in grave danger. Why did you do that?"
"Because of all the potential outcomes, and knowing that the villains had come specifically to kidnap at least one of them, allowing them to defend themselves was the best possible choice. When compared to the worst possible outcome, there was no question about what should have been done," Aizawa stated.
"Yamazaki Nezumi of the Mainichi Shimbun. Tell me, why were the students targeted? Bakugou Katsuki has shown several times that he has a ferocious temper, and several of the other students have shown worrying tendencies as well, and let's not forget the prejudice against mutant-type quirks. Isn't it possible that they were targeted because the villains think they could persuade the students to join them in the path to evil?"
"If so, then they are gravely mistaken, more so with Bakugou Katsuki than with anyone else save one. As for your other accusations, perhaps one should consider working to end the prejudice against mutant types?"
"-Anyone deemed a loser is just shoved aside. Our war is based on a few simple questions. What is a hero? What is justice? Is this what society's really supposed to be like? Once we get people thinking about that, we've won. And you like winning, don't you?" Shigaraki asked. "Dabi, let him go. We're supposed to be recruiting, right? So we should treat him as an equal. Besides, he's got to be smart enough to know he can't take us all on."
"Alright, but I think this is a horrible idea, Shigaraki," Dabi stated.
The others started up their recruitment speech while the Fireball unshackled Katsuki. "You guys give some pretty good speeches, you know that?" he stated as he rubbed his wrists. "I'm sure all of you have grievances, some of them might even be legitimate like Gecko over there or Fireball. But let's get one thing straight: you guys aren't calling the shots here, not even your boss is. We are, have been for weeks now. Your magnet guy fell easily, and he didn't even succeed in corrupting Dr Shield. And kidnapping me? Well, that was a part of the plan that I was happy to volunteer for."
"What are you going on about?" Circus asked.
"What's wrong, not obvious enough for you pea-brains? I was bait, and you took me in hook, line and sinker! My kidnapping is the final push needed to get the police and the heroes to find you all and take you down! Yeah, that includes even you, All For One!" While Katsuki talked, he continued something that he'd been doing since he was captured: he did his absolute best to maximize the sweat he produced. Back when they were ten, Deku had mentioned that his explosions were larger the closer they got to exams, and when he looked into it, he learned that stress helped produce sweat. Since then, he had started talking to himself before and during events that he'd need his quirk at its' strongest. Before the exams, he had gone all out both being terrified of All Might and excited at the possibility of fighting him. Now though, he had the added stress of being a captive and the knowledge that this would be All Mights' final battle. Now he was ready for one of his largest explosions.
Yet, for once, he held it back. Deku had told him that his other self had revealed he wasn't held for long, and that All Might showed up about the time that the press conference made the news. So, why waste the explosion? While he'd been thinking, the villains had been chatting, saying that he was stupid for not playing along. "Why would I do that?" he demanded. "With me, what you see is what you get, I don't have any secrets of my own. If you bastards think that's a problem, then so be it. I will only ever be myself, and I am a hero!"
With that, the hands bastard called on his master for help. "A wise decision, Shigaraki Tomura."
The four friends had just arrived at the Nomu factory and were quick to discover the window that they had the first time. With some aid from Kirishima acting as his eyes, Izuku started tossing the shaped charges at the Nomu tanks. Just as they finished, Kirishima asked "What's going on?" while pointing at a truck that was rising into the air.
"Mt Lady," Izuku answered with a smile. "Momo, prepare to detonate." The second that Mt Lady put her foot down, every Nomu tank exploded.
"The Nomu are dead," Best Jeanist reported. "It appears that their tanks detonated on impact." The four students shared a grin, until an overwhelming presence made itself known. The presence further made itself known by a massive explosion, one far greater than Mt Lady had been able to accomplish. The presence was so overwhelming, in fact, that only Izuku himself was able to withstand it, and that only because he'd been there before. And as he expected, he soon heard the voice of Kacchan. Good! Then as soon as he started to fight back this would all be over for them.
Katsuki stared at the clash of the titans happening before him. Even with Deku's explanation of who All For One was, he was still shocked to see just how powerful he was. To be able to not only match but to throw back All Might?! Good God, but now he could understand how this guy ruled the underworld for so long! Now, all he needed to do was fight back, and Deku along with Eij would be there to get him out. But first, it was time to do something a little reckless. "Hey, All For One! About that offer of yours, I have an answer for you."
"Oh, and what is your answer?" Kacchan gave one of his signature grins before raising his hands and unleashing his largest explosion ever, all aimed directly at the villain. He didn't expect the blast to do much to the villain, and he was proven correct. "That was a poor decision, Bakugou Katsuki," All For One said as the smoke cleared. The blast had barely even damaged his suit, leaving it only slightly torn and burned in places. "Tomura, teach this boy a lesson about what happens to those who deny a generous offer." With that, the Symbol of Evil turned back to All Might.
Katsuki turned to face the League of Villains, only to be surprised when the hands bastard appeared behind him. "You heard what my master said. Besides, can you imagine the look on All Might's face when he realizes that he couldn't even save all of you?" Katsuki spun around, only for Shigaraki to grab his upper arm, and he could only scream in pain in response.
Izuku paled when he heard Kacchan's scream after the explosion. Kirishima turned just as pale, while Shoto stared at him in shock. What the hell had happened? It didn't matter though, they had no time to waste. "Grab onto me, now," he ordered, using the same tone he did when he had to take control of their exercises at UA. (Shoto had teasingly called it his Dad Might voice, but even that couldn't calm him down right now.) Momo grabbed one of his arms, while Kirishima grabbed the other and Shoto held him under his arms, (something that he couldn't think about right now.) With his friends secure, he took off and flew out to Kacchan, ignoring the shock that both Momo and Kirishima expressed.
But the shock at what they found was even greater. Katsuki, of all people was on his knees, but when they looked closer, they all saw why. His left arm was lying on the ground, with only a stump left connected to his shoulder.
Shigaraki had removed Kacchan's arm.
Shigaraki had removed Kacchan's arm!
Shigaraki had disintegrated Kacchan's arm!
It took every ounce of control Izuku had to not kill Shigaraki at that moment. Fortunately, the pressure of Momo and Kirishima's hands as well as Shoto's continued hug kept him calm enough that he didn't try flying off to kill Shigaraki. Kirishima let go long enough to grab Kacchan before returning, allowing them to fly off again, and for All Might to truly defeat All For One.
"Are you sure we should be here?" Watanabe asked. "If that blast is anything to go by, this is going to be the biggest fight in the history of supers."
"How long until you trust my quirk, Yuuma? This is where we need to be, nowhere else," Tanaka Kiima responded. "Once we get the story, we'll move on."
Just then, several kids landed right in front of the duo, and all of them were easily recognizable as UA first years. What was most shocking though was that one of them, the former hostage Bakugou Katsuki was missing an arm. Todoroki quickly cauterized it, while Valiant ordered "Momo, give him whatever medical treatment you can, then meet up with the others. They'll be needed soon." Creati nodded and ran off, apparently to meet with the 'others' that Valiant had mentioned, probably other members of the Overcomers.
"Excuse me, Valiant, but can I get an interview?" Kiima asked, just as the entire crowd gasped in shock. The small group of heroes and reporters turned to discover that All Might had nearly been thrown into a helicopter, only to for it to be saved by Gran Torino. "How did you rescue Ground Zero, and do you know anything about this villain that All Might is fighting?"
"We will, just as soon as things have calmed down, Miss Tanaka," Valiant responded. "We won't tell you everything, but you can have your story. Right now, All Might is more important."
"Yes, of course," Kiima agreed. While this story would be important, she knew that was even more so. Just then, another blast came from the villain, and when the dust cleared, everyone stared in shock.
None were more shocked though, than Red Riot himself. "Midoriya, why did All Might turn into Toshinori-sensei?" Wait, what? Class A knew about this … skinny version of All Might?!
"Eij, not now." Bakugou had his remaining hand on Kirishima's shoulder, apparently to get him to calm down. The redhead nodded and they all turned to the fight.
Toshinori smiled, knowing that so far, everything was going according to plan, outside of young Bakugou's injury that is. He only hoped that Dave and Melissa could help the boy out. Young Bakugou certainly had a future as a pro hero, and he didn't want to see that potential lost.
"I'm surprised, All Might, I honestly expected you to look worse after our fight. What kept your will to live so strong after my defeat? No matter, the public now knows the truth. I hope you're not too ashamed."
"You may strip away my secrets, but you can't touch my spirit, All For One! So long as that remains, then I will always be the Symbol of Peace!" Then came the action that Toshi had been waiting for: the Symbol of Evil revealed Tomura's identity, and he laughed in the villain's face. "You think I didn't know that? Did you think yourself clever giving him your name? One of my students suspected something immediately and we found out what happened to my masters' family, including the fact that Tenko went missing around the time that his family disintegrated. He may be my masters' grandson, but it is our choices, not our heritage that makes us who we are! And he has chosen to become a villain! For that, I will destroy you!"
For once, All For One was surprised. His shock lasted long enough for the other heroes to show up and rescue the wounded Best Jeanist as well as civilians who hadn't been evacuated before they had attacked the villains. However, the Symbol of Evil wasn't going to take that lying down. He combined thirteen different quirks to create a limb so massively distorted, only he could have possibly used it. "I wasn't certain until we exchanged blows, but that confirmed my suspicions. You no longer possess One for All. No, what you're using are just embers, the last sparks of a dying flame that you've already passed on. I don't even need to blow to put them out, they're dying on their own, and you're speeding it on its' way every time you use it. Midoriya Izuku! He's the current wielder, the boy you passed it on to! Did you even know he'd come here tonight? You have no control over him at all! You've failed as a hero and a teacher!"
Their fists clashed, and once again, the villain used Impact Recoil to force All Might to take the pain of the blow all on himself. He was willing to take it though, this was nothing compared to what Izuku himself had gone through because of his poor training and teaching skills the first time! "You're wrong again! I knew that he'd come here to rescue young Bakugou! But we made a vow together! Until I've finished training young Midoriya, until he's ready and has graduated, I won't, I refuse to die!" Then, as a way to honor his apprentice, he used one of his moves: a St Louis Smash on the villain, further damaging the life support helmet. Then, before the villain could even hope to recover, he ended things with a "United States of Smash!" With that, the battle, and his time as All Might had ended. But to reassure the people, he used what little power still remained to bulk up one last time in his victory stance.
Within five minutes, young Yaoyorozu and young Kendo had led their rescue teams onto the scene and announced "We are here to help."
Toshinori smiled at that, as the two had proven to be great leaders in their scenarios at UA, and when others tried to stop the students, he stood up for them. "I gave them permission to come and help. So leave them alone." He stayed long enough for the dawn to finally arrive, and a reporter to show up with a camera. He turned halfway away from the camera, and pointed towards it. "Now, now it's your turn," he stated, knowing that his successor would be watching.